The Covid-19 pandemic–or endemic, as it has now become–has brought about dramatic changes in our everyday lives. With work from home becoming the norm, we were confined to our houses with the outdoors turning into the big bad world.
Before we could realise it, masks became an indispensable part of our lives. Even now as the vaccination drives continue in full force, health bodies are still urging people to keep their masks on at all times.
As much as we understand the importance of masking up and following its protocols in public places, wearing a mask can be a problem for those who wear glasses. If you wear glasses then you know exactly what we are talking about.
You can perhaps relate to the annoying problem of– fogging.
Masks not only leave you with little air to breathe but also make you partially blind. Not the best combination we’d say, especially if you are prone to bumping into things.
Nevertheless, we’re here to save you some trouble with minimal effort. Here are some interesting hacks to prevent glasses from fogging while wearing a mask.
Hacks To Prevent Glasses From Fogging With A Mask On
Image courtesy: iStock
1. Taping method
Daniel M. Heiferman, MD at Semmes Murphey Neurologic and Spine Institute in Memphis tweeted about a trick recently. It not only went viral but has received more than 65,000 retweets.
To execute this hack, all you will need is a band-aid along with the mask. Essentially, the band-aid acts like tape and will help seal up your mask to your skin.
Thanks to the band-aid, your breath won’t be able to escape upward, which would otherwise fog your lenses.
Image courtesy: Daniel M. Heiferman Twitter
He claimed that he has been using this particular hack for a long time now and finds it quite effective.
While you may use normal tapes, they may not be as good as a band-aid for staying in one place throughout the day. Do note, it can irritate your skin if you use it regularly.
2. Wash your specs with soapy water
Before you wear your spectacles, remember to wash them with a mild liquid soap or a detergent. You can air-dry the glasses next. But if you are running short of time, then gently pat the surface dry with a soft cloth.
According to a study, researchers found that a very thin layer of soap molecules will remain on the glasses, forming a transparent coating that inhibits fog formation.
With this technique, your spectacle lenses should not mist up when you wear the face mask next time.
3. Use a nose clip
Look for a mask with an adjustable nose clip. Once your mask is in place, pinch the nose clip to tighten the mask over the bridge of your nose. A close-fitted mask will help to keep the puffs of warm breath from fogging your lenses.
If you don’t have nose clips on your masks, then you can purchase self-adhesive silicone nose clips online.
4. Anti-fog spray and wipes
Image courtesy: iStock
There are plenty of anti-fog sprays that are available in the market. When you spray them, they coat your glasses with a see-through film that prevents the formation of fog. Choose a brand that won’t damage the protective coating of your eyewear.
Make sure to close your eyes while you are using the anti-fog spray.
You also have the option of using anti-fog wipes. They are quick and quite handy. There are some that are prepackaged as single-use wipes, while there are some that are coated microfiber cloths that can be re-used.
5. Fit your mask to your face
Here are some other hacks which the American Academy of Ophthalmology recommends to prevent glasses from fogging.
- Pushing your glasses forward on your nose. This will allow more air to circulate and keep your breath from fogging up your vision.
- You can rest your glasses over your face mask. This will block the air from escaping and prevent fogging. However, remember, if you are trying this hack, then see to it that your mask still fits properly over your face. Also, your nose and mouth should be completely covered.
Remember that any method to prevent glasses from fogging should be for an extended length of time and not just a few minutes. At the same time, it should also be safe to use on the surface of your glasses.
Keeping all the challenges in mind, we hope our tips come in handy if you are looking for ways to prevent fogging your glasses.
At the same time, don’t forget to wash your eyelids with plain water to keep them healthy. Give ample rest and don’t strain your eyes. Finally, practice focusing exercises and consume a healthy diet.
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