Covid-19 has had a significant impact, and the masks that were made mandatory in all shops as of July 24th last year are the most visible change we’ve faced.
Now, most of us don’t think twice before reaching for our masks as we head out, with many of us embracing this accessory alongside the scarves, necklaces and more that we’ve always worn. Sadly, unlike those much-loved additions, masks can cause complications for glasses wearers.
Many of us find that our glasses become foggy the moment we put our masks on, which is a significant issue considering that we can’t shop without being able to see! Besides which, with evidence pointing towards the fact that Covid-19 can enter the body through our eyes, you definitely don’t want to remove your glasses and lose their protection.
But, to ensure that you can enjoy that benefit, it’s first fundamental to consider how to reduce fog when wearing a face mask and glasses. Luckily, we’ve got some glasses and mask tips to help you do exactly that.
Put your glasses over your mask
The vast majority of us slip our masks straight on as we walk into a shop which, for glasses wearers, is a problem. After all, when you put your mask up under your glasses, it’s incredibly difficult to get a decent seal. This can result in air that seeps straight up, leading to the glasses fogging and facemask conundrum that you’re trying to avoid.
By comparison, taking your glasses off and replacing them on top of your mask enables you to create a much tighter seal around your nose and mouth, which should largely remove the risk of seepage that’s been leaving you sightless until now.
Wash your glasses with soap and water
Another fantastic way to stop glasses from fogging is to wash them with soap and water beforehand. While you will need to think of it before you leave, this is a fantastic option if your glasses don’t have a special coating, as it provides a temporary film. That, in itself, can prevent fogging when you put your mask on. Do note, however, that you should never wash your glasses with soap that contains lotion or fragrance, as these could do more damage than good.
Get a nose bridge for a tighter fit
Avoiding fogged glasses is largely about ensuring that air doesn’t seep upwards. Unfortunately, even putting your glasses on top of your mask won’t altogether stop problems if you don’t invest in a mask with a nose bridge.
Luckily, there are now plenty of masks that include flexible nose bands, and these are proving invaluable for glasses wearers. As well as providing a more comfortable fit that sits perfectly under the bridge of your glasses, the ability to mould your mask to your nose can provide a much better seal. And, that means far less hot air leaving your mask and filtering right into your glasses.
Put a tissue on the inside of your mask
As much as we all carry masks around with us these days, many of us also carry tissues to safely catch coughs and sneezes as we go. Interestingly, pairing these two safety considerations could be the ideal way to keep glass fogging at bay. Strange as it sounds, taping a tissue to the inside of your mask will catch moisture, thus reducing the risk of those same droplets ending up on your glasses. Just make sure to change that tissue every time for ultimate hygiene!
Get an anti-fogging product
It’s also worth noting that there are plenty of fantastic anti-fogging products on the market right now, and any one of them could help you to tackle this issue at last. Anti-fogging wipes are by far the most convenient option, and you could take these out with you to ensure protection for each trip. Equally, you can buy sprays that serve the same purpose, and act much like specific coatings would for protecting your glass lenses.
A helping hand from Belson Opticians
Here at Belson Opticians, we can provide you with anti-fog coatings and products to ease your mask woes. We’re also on hand to ensure that your sight difficulties aren’t due to more sinister underlying issues, such as pinguecula, which can cause the blurred vision many of us experience when we have our masks on. Either way, your eyesight and your mask-wearing could benefit if you contact a member of our team on 0800 980 3464 today.