If you love your glasses as much as we do, you’re likely encountering the same difficulties with our new normal of wearing masks when out in public: the dreaded fogging of your lenses! While there is not a perfect answer to keeping your glasses and sunglasses completely free from fogging up, we’ve listed out some tips to help you reduce the frustration as much as possible.
Keep Your Mask Tight
Applying medical-grade tape along the top of your mask across your nose and cheeks will significantly reduce upward air flow, which means that hot air has to find an alternate escape path! Just be aware that some skin can be sensitive to medical tape, so try different types if you do have any irritation.
Use Anti-Fog Coatings, Wipes, Sprays, or Creams
Anti-fog coatings block out moisture that would normally stick to your lenses by creating a surface layer that repels water and mist. A treatment is applied to both sides of the lens in order to prevent fogging so you can see clearly in any climate or environment.
Commercial anti-fog products are an alternative to lens coatings. These products, typically sold in either gel or spray form, are specially designed to prevent condensation and moisture from building up on your lenses. We’re in the process of bringing in an anti-fog spray option for our patients and the rest of the Winston-Salem community, so stay tuned for an easy option available in store!
Washing Lenses with Dish Soap
This anti-fogging method has been used by surgeons and scuba divers for a long time and is an easy way to help reduce your glasses or sunglasses from fogging! Immediately before wearing a mask, wash your lenses with dish soap (just avoid soaps with added moisturizers) and then dry the lenses with a clean lens cloth without rising. You can also try shaking the lenses dry to avoid rubbing off the thin film the soap will apply. This thin film on the lenses reduces surface tension and spreads water droplets evenly across the surface so the condensation is not visible. Just be careful not to scratch the lenses when drying!
Swap Glasses for Contact Lenses
Been considering contact lenses for a while? There’s no better reason to give them a try than to help you avoid foggy glasses. There also a great option for these warm, summer days and trips to the lake and beach!
Interested in one or more of these options for keeping your glasses or sunglasses from fogging up? Give us a call to speak with our local eye doctor, Dr. Bradbury, or one of our fabulous eyewear stylists to help you select from some of the most stylish glasses in Winston-Salem, NC. We’re here to help with a variety of contact lenses, anti-fog treatments and other solutions to help you see clearly!
