If you wear glasses and a face mask, you've probably struggled with mask fog. Your lenses get all misty, requiring you to wipe your eyewear throughout the day. Here are a few strategies to help prevent fogging.

Why Do Glasses Fog Up?

Condensation forms whenever moist warm air hits a cool surface. Your specs fog up when the mask directs your warm breath upward instead of in front of you, which is great for preventing virus transmission but bad for anyone with less-than-stellar eyesight.

Is Your Mask Well Fitted?

The mask should fit securely over your nose. Ideally, wear a mask with a nose bridge or one that can be molded to your face. When the mask fits properly, most of your breath will go through the fabric rather than up toward your eyewear.

Use Your Glasses to Seal the Top of Your Mask

This method works best with large, thick eyewear frames. By pulling your mask up higher on your nose and placing the lower part of your eyeglasses on the mask, you can get a snug fit that blocks warm breath from escaping upward.

Tape Your Mask to Your Face

You can use easy-to-remove adhesive, medical, or athletic tape to secure your mask across the bridge of your nose and the top of your cheeks.

Soap and Water Help Prevent Fogging

This trick is one that healthcare professionals regularly use. Rub both sides of your lenses with a drop of dish soap, then buff the lenses with a soft microfiber cloth. This helps prevent your lenses from fogging as a transparent thin film acts as a barrier. Stay away from soaps with lotions as they can leave a thick residue.

Anti-Fog Wipes and Sprays

Another option is to purchase wipes and sprays designed to tackle foggy lenses. Read the fine print, as certain anti-fog solutions may damage lenses with coatings.

To learn more about ways to keep your glasses from fogging while wearing a mask, contact Dayton Optometric Center in Kettering, Ohio. Call us at (937) 228-2020 today.