How to Prevent Foggy Glasses While Wearing a Mask

Do you wear glasses and face masks and often wonder how you can prevent foggy glasses while wearing a mask? If you do, you’re not alone. Wearing a face mask and glasses at the same time can be tricky.

But why do face masks fog up your glasses, you might ask?

One word: condensation.

Body heat and airflow lead to foggy lenses.

What Causes the Condensation?

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Water changes states depending on its temperature. It evaporates when it’s hot, and returns to liquid when cold. When you wear a face mask, it directs much of the air you exhale upwards.

Whenever you exhale while wearing a mask, the water molecules in your breath hit the mask. Some water molecules will go through your mask depending on how porous the material is. The remainder of the water molecules will be diverted. They will escape through the nearest, simplest exit. The exit would be the area between your mask and your cheeks.

The air in your mask will always be cooler than the air in your glasses. This is because your breath warms it up. You are breathing out moisture, which hits your lenses and causes the quick change in temperature. This causes condensation to happen. As a result, it makes a fog that is uncomfortable and temporarily blinding.

It can be annoying when your lenses fog up while you’re wearing a mask. Lens fog can go from mildly bothersome to downright dangerous because you can’t see.

Unfortunately, the fogging gets worse as lower temperatures lead to more misty lenses. Glasses have the tendency of fogging up when we wear masks because of the warm, humid breath your body generates. 

According to Yuna Rapoport, MD, a board-certified ophthalmologist, when the humid air you breathe out goes up and has no place to circulate, it stays within the space enclosed by your glasses. This fogging issue gets even worse during workout sessions when there’s additional humidity in the air.

When it’s cold outside, as you breathe, your breath puffs up through the top of your mask. This clouds the lenses of your glasses.

This occurs especially when you go from a colder atmosphere outside to warmer indoors. It also happens when you go from hot outdoors to cool, air-conditioned indoors in the summer. Your mask isn’t snug around your face. The effect is comparable to how the steam from a hot shower causes your chilly bathroom mirror to fog up.

Here are 10 ways to prevent foggy glasses while wearing a mask:

Adjust Your Glasses to Prevent Foggy Glasses

If your glasses have nose pads, you can adjust the pads so the frames sit slightly farther from your face. This allows the hot air to escape rather than becoming trapped between your face and the lens of your glasses.

You should note that if you wear progressive lenses, adjusting the nose pads may cause your vision to shift. The same applies if your lenses have a strong prescription. This shift might affect your vision somewhat. If this occurs, you may need to adjust your head angle to compensate for the alteration of your eyesight.

Wear a Snug-Fitting Mask and Prevent Foggy Glasses

Preventing warm air from escaping through the top of your mask is the best remedy for your fogging problem. A well-fitting mask can help you achieve this goal.

Wearing a snug-fitting mask with a tight seal across the top that keeps air from escaping is the easiest approach. It is also the least expensive method to keep your glasses from fogging.

Seal the Mask

You can place a piece of double-sided tape across the bridge of your nose before putting on your mask. You’ll create a better seal. Put double-sided tape between the inside of your mask and the bridge of your nose. An additional piece of cellophane or masking tape can be placed over the mask. This helps create a better seal.

Use a Folded Tissue As Buffer

Inserting a folded tissue between your mouth and the mask is straightforward. This technique can prevent foggy glasses while wearing a mask. The warm, moist air you exhale will be absorbed by the tissue, keeping it from reaching your glasses.

To help direct your exhaled breath away from your eyes, make sure the top of your mask is snug. Ensure the bottom is slack.

Criss Cross Mask Ties to Help Prevent Foggy Glasses

If you’re wearing a surgical mask with ties, cross them. The top ties should be below your ears. The bottom ties should be above. This technique will result in a more snug, tighter fit of your mask.

Wash Your Lenses With Soapy Water

Another simple method to prevent fogging is by washing your glasses. Wash the lenses of your glasses with soapy water and shake off the excess water. Then allow the lenses to air dry before wearing a face mask.

This works because the soap forms a film on your glasses, which keeps them from fogging up. To use this technique, start with mild hand soap. If that doesn’t work, you may try dishwasher soap.

To avoid damaging your lenses, don’t clean them with household products such as shaving cream, baby shampoo, or toothpaste.

Use a Mask Extender

Wearing a mask extender connects the ear loops of the mask around the back of your head. This will help tighten the fit of the mask against your face. It will do this without making you want to rip your ears out. Mask extenders are inexpensive and can be purchased online.

Breathe Downward to Prevent Foggy Glasses

This technique might appear awkward. Breathing downward can be a quick anti-fog fix. It can prevent foggy glasses while wearing a mask. This sends more air away from your glasses.

So, how do you breathe downward? You do so by holding your upper lip over your lower lip. Then, you blow air downward, as if you’re playing the flute.

Antifogging Wipes & Solutions

To prevent foggy glasses while wearing a mask, you may use antifog lens wipes or antifog cloth. You can also use antifogging solutions used for scuba masks or ski goggles.

Consider Anti-fog Lenses

You might also consider buying eyeglass lenses with anti-fog coating. An anti-fog coating on your glasses’ lens will help. It will help regardless of what is obstructing your vision—a face mask or something else. It will provide a hassle-free solution and prevent foggy glasses.

In conclusion, preventing foggy glasses while wearing a mask is entirely possible with the right techniques. By adjusting your mask fit, you can maintain clear vision.

Using anti-fog products can also help. Even trying simple home remedies can be effective. Incorporating these strategies into your routine will not only enhance your comfort but also make mask-wearing much more manageable. Stay safe, stay comfortable, and say goodbye to foggy lenses!