How to Wear a Face Mask with Glasses
In many places of public gathering, it is now mandatory to wear a face mask to protect against the spread of COVID-19. These new regulations can come with some unexpected obstacles for those who are new to wearing PPE.
Do you feel like your vision is being compromised due to foggy glasses caused by condensation from your protective face mask? Read here for tips on what to do when your glasses get foggy:
Fix the mask fit
If condensation is building up, causing foggy eyeglasses while wearing a mask, this means your breath is escaping through the top of your mask. Proper fitting of your face mask will ensure that your breath passes through the material, not out the sides or top resulting in foggy glasses.
Some face masks have a bendable metal to adjust around the bridge of your nose which will seal the mask at the top of the face, stopping your breath from moving upwards. If you are using a homemade mask, you can insert any bendable material such as a pipe cleaner to create this seal and avoid foggy eyeglasses.
Adjust the position of the mask
Proper face mask fitting will cover most of your nose and all of your mouth, wrapping around the bottom of your chin. You can adjust the mask to sit a bit lower on the nose which will stop any air escaping out of the top and creating foggy glasses.
Still, always keep in mind that in order for the face mask to work properly, it should completely cover the nose and mouth.
Contrarily, you can also adjust the mask to sit higher on your face, using your glasses as an anchoring tool to seal off space where breath escapes upwards, resulting in foggy eyeglasses.
Again, your mask should not be pulled up so high that it creates open space between your chin and the bottom of your mask as this can work against the effectiveness of the face mask.
DID YOU KNOW?
An anti-fog coating on your glasses is the most effective way to combat the condensation created when wearing a mask.
Remove a layer or get a new filter
If you’re using a homemade mask and it’s causing foggy eyeglasses, this could be a sign that there isn’t proper airflow through the material of the mask. Try removing a layer of material if you believe this is the case.
Always remember that the extra layer of material could be an extra layer of protection from contracting or spreading the coronavirus, and it should only be removed if restricting proper airflow.
If you are using a mask with a filter, consider replacing the filter with one that allows for more airflow. You can also consider using a face shield or a pair of anti-fog safety goggles that protect against condensation build-up. Read here for more information about the potential benefits of face shields and the best anti-fog safety glasses.
How to clean foggy eyeglasses
Another way to protect against foggy glasses is to wash your lenses. Washing your glasses with lotion-free and citrus-free dish soap and letting them air dry could create a layer of protection that reduces condensation build-up.
Read our article on how to clean your glasses to avoid using materials or techniques that could damage your lenses.
Anti-fog coating for your glasses is another great way to avoid foggy glasses. Anti-fog glasses coatings are specifically designed to protect your lenses and not only will last longer than a soap solution but also won’t interfere with clear vision. You can read here for information about anti-fog glasses coating, anti-reflective coating, and more.
