January 14, 2021, 12:49 pm | Read time: 3 minutes

In many places in Germany–such as on relatively busy streets–you must wear a face mask outdoors. This is a challenge for eyeglass wearers. Most people lose their clear vision when entering stores because their lenses fog up. But is there anything you can do about it?

Why do eyeglass lenses fog up?

The foggy vision is caused by a simple physical phenomenon: Warm breath escapes through the face mask close to the eyeglass lenses. The moisture in the air condenses on the cooler lenses. The condensation droplets then refract the light, leading to impaired vision.

Of course, you can’t do much against physics. However, eyeglass wearers can at least mitigate the problem with a few simple tricks.

More on the topic

FFP, MNS, homemade 5 Masks to Protect Against Coronavirus–and Their Effectiveness

Safe but Uncomfortable What Helps When the Everyday COVID Mask Hurts Your Ear?

Tips to reduce fogging of eyeglass lenses despite wearing a mask

Ensure a snug fit

“The mask should fit as tightly as possible,” explains Timm Koedel, a pharmacist from Potsdam. “Especially the upper part directly under the glasses.” This way, less breath reaches the lenses.

His advice: “For homemade masks, you can sew in a bendable metal strip to press the fabric closer to the skin.” How to easily sew a face mask yourself is shown by our colleagues at STYLEBOOK at the bottom of this article with a video.

Another helpful tip: place the glasses on top of the face mask so that the fabric lies beneath the frame. This way, the warm breath passes by the lenses at a slightly greater distance.

Tape trick

If you’re not too concerned about appearances, you can use tape. This trick is taught to doctors in the operating room, as Dr. Daniel Heiferman, a neurosurgeon from Chicago, reported on Twitter in November.

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Simply tape the mask to the bridge of your nose! This not only prevents the lenses from fogging but also keeps the frame from slipping.

Also interesting: Do you need protective eyewear to guard against coronavirus?

Rub lenses with mild soap

A home remedy for eyeglass lenses that Koedel also recommends is mild liquid soap without alcohol. It should be applied in small amounts with a soft cloth on the lenses. After a short time, the lenses are not rinsed but only polished dry. The thin soap film prevents moisture in the breath from settling on the glass.

While you can’t expect a truly “clear” view due to the film, it’s certainly better than having completely fogged lenses.

Also interesting: What should you consider for children’s face masks?

Custom face mask–video tutorial

Our colleagues at STYLEBOOK have created a DIY guide for masks. This could also help if you’re struggling with fogged eyeglass lenses while wearing a face mask. After all, what fits better than a custom-made mask?

Enjoy sewing and always have a clear view!