As wearing a face masks or coverings in shops and on public transport is compulsory, many of you may be experiencing foggy lenses.
Here at Galloway’s we have put together a list of handy tips to prevent this.
The most basic way to stop lenses steaming up is:
Step 1: Immediately before wearing a face mask or covering, wash the spectacles with soapy water
Step 2: Shake off the excess
Step 3: Let the spectacles air dry, or gently dry off lenses with a soft tissue
Step 4: Put them back on
Another simple way is the "the tuck, tissue or soapy water method."
Tuck: Do not place your glasses behind your face mask or covering and instead tuck the mask under your eyewear, this should cut down on fogging.
Tissue: Create a barrier from the moisture coming out of your mask/covering by taking a piece of tissue or toilet paper and fold it into a small square. When you put on your face mask or covering, tuck the piece of tissue between the mask/covering and the bridge of your nose.
The tissue will absorb some of the moisture that naturally occurs between your skin and the mask, thus helping reduce eyeglass fog. The tissue may help your mask/covering fit more comfortably as well, preventing irritation that can occur when the mask rubs against your skin.
Soap: Try washing your glasses in soapy water to create a thin layer that should help to keep them from fogging up.
But be careful using soap on your lenses if they have an Anti-Reflective coating. The coating can be damaged by strong soap based cleaners so please be careful when doing this.
If these do not work, try these other tips:
1. Seal the mask/covering Stick a piece of double-sided tape across the bridge of the nose before putting on a mask. You can also place masking tape over the mask as well.
2. Make sure the mask/covering fits well Buy a mask with moldable pieces around the nose (such as a metal strip). If you’ve made your own cloth covering, create a seal around the nose by inserting a paper clip, pipe cleaner or twist tie to the upper part of the mask.
3. Be careful when adjusting your glasses
For a quick fix, you may want to adjust the placement of your glasses and keep the glasses away from the nose vent. Move your glasses higher or lower on your nose (whichever you are more comfortable with) in order to distance them from the nose vent. This should offer some relief from fog when you are in a hurry and don’t have other helpful materials on you. But please be careful when doing this. This can affect the visual quality you get from your glasses. If your glasses don't fit correctly, please see your local optician, as you could risk breaking your glasses by incorrect adjustment.
4. Try de-fogging products Applying over-the-counter anti-fogging sprays, waxes and gels to your lenses before putting on your glasses can quickly disperse tiny fog droplets when you’re wearing a mask or face covering.
5. Breathe downwards Hold your upper lip over your lower lip. Then blow air downward, as if you’re playing a flute.
6. Consider buying anti-fog lenses These are specifically designed to keep the fog away, so should hopefully do the trick!
Please note: Wearing face masks or coverings are now compulsory in enclosed spaces, such as public transport and shops. This is to protect yourself and others from possible infection.
There are some exemptions, as covered by the government’s website:
For details on face mask exemption cards, read here: https://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/news/18598589.hidden-disability-face-mask-exemptions-card-get-one/
People are still also advised to maintain a safe distance of 2m and to regularly wash hands.