Using a face mask is the easiest way to slow the spread of COVID-19, but doing so comes with a few minor nuisances, foggy glasses being the number one complaint amongst older adults.

What causes foggy glasses?

Glasses fog when the warm air you exhale rises from the top of your mask and hits the relatively cold surface of your glasses, causing condensation to form and obstructing your view.

While the cause is simple enough, many of us still struggle with constantly fogged lenses. Read on for some easy and inexpensive ways to deal with this annoyance.

Check the fit of your mask

Masks are designed to have a tight fit over the wearer’s nose and a looser fit below. Readjusting to better seal the top of your mask will lower the amount of warm air rising to steam your lenses.

If you wear a mask with ties, you can achieve a tighter fit at the top by running the lower tie over the top of your ear, the upper tie underneath your ear, and then tying the two strands together.

Make or purchase moldable masks

Masks with a bendable bridge over the nose are much easier to wear tightly over the nose. Simply affix the straps and run your fingers over the bridge to seal any gaps.

If you make your own masks, pipe cleaners can be added to your design to replicate this feature.

Seal your mask with your glasses

Some masks can be pulled up higher on the nose and still provide adequate coverage. Simply place your glasses on top of the material covering your nose to keep the mask in place. When using this method, be sure to retest the fit of your glasses to make sure they will not slide off during normal usage before you head off.

Homemade anti-fog

One long-used trick in some hospitals is a simple anti-fog wash applied directly to glasses. To do this, simply cover your glasses in soapy water (hand soap is best,) shake the frames dry and allow the lenses to air dry or pat them down with a soft cloth.

This method leaves a thin film of soap over the lenses, preventing condensation from forming on the glass.

It’s worth noting that some lens coatings can be damaged with this method, so it is worth asking your optician  before applying this or any store-bought anti-fog sprays to your glasses.

We hope these tips help you see things a little bit more clearly moving forward!