Calling the spectacle wearers amongst us...

[Sunriser13]

OK, so I know many of us gathered here at this 'Grand Institution of Knowledge' (aka DU) gained much of that knowledge straining to read that teeny-tiny print on the fragile, tissue-thin pages encased within those massive tomes of exhilarating discovery. Some of that collective exalted wisdom, dear friends, I seek from you now.

One of the challenges of either reading such treasures, or wishing to continue to read such treasures, is that quite often the price is paid in having to wear the dreaded pair of reading glasses, if you weren't wearing corrective lenses already. Some of us who are old enough to remember when our prescriptions were so strong that our only choice was glass still have dents in our noses (and really funny-looking eyes forever staring out from school photos and family photographs).

OK, OK!! I'll get to the point!

In this day of Covid-19 avoidance, we are now wearing masks. I was given a handmade mask today, and was supposed to put it on then, so no practice time.

I wear glasses, and have since I was about two years old. I cannot function past an inch or two beyond my nose without them. The refrigerator becomes that big fuzzy thing a few steps from the sink. (At least I think that's the sink...)

How, pray tell, does one keep one's glasses from fogging up while wearing a mask? I couldn't keep my hands the hell away from my face because my glasses kept fogging up and I had to keep adjusting them.

I know I started this in a humorous way, but it is a serious question. Rest assured, however, that if anyone suggests it's just because I'm full of hot air, I will be making a list...

[Kath2]

1. I hear you.

I have the same issue. I am just adjusting my glasses further down my nose to minimize the fog. I know I look ridiculous but we live in ridiculous times.

[Sunriser13]

8. Maybe that works for you.

But when I tried that I wound up looking at the ceiling, while still trying to see where I was going!

[Kath2]

9. I am so blind without my glasses.

I have to get better at this.

[Sunriser13]

13. I know what you mean, sweetheart!

[Kath2]

17. I plan on staying home the next few days.

Peace and love. Resist, persist and vote. Be safe and believe in science, not dogma.

[hlthe2b]

2. This is a problem with hand made masks and surgical masks alike (N95 tend to seal better)

Here is the one published journal report addressing the matter. Really! It does help but only temporarily.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3293317/

Ann R Coll Surg Engl. 2011 Mar; 93(2): 168.

A simple method to prevent spectacle lenses misting up on wearing a face mask
Sheraz Shafi Malik1 and Shahbaz Shafi Malik2
Author information Copyright and License information Disclaimer
This article has been cited by other articles in PMC.
Go to:
BACKGROUND

Theatre staff who wear spectacles can find their spectacle lenses misting up on wearing a face mask. This effect can be a nuisance and even incapacitate the person. A simple method to prevent this annoying phenomenon is highlighted.
Go to:
TECHNIQUE

Immediately before wearing a face mask, wash the spectacles with soapy water and shake off the excess. Then, let the spectacles air dry or gently dry off the lenses with a soft tissue before putting them back on. Now the spectacle lenses should not mist up when the face mask is worn.
Go to:
DISCUSSION

The face mask directs much of the exhaled air upwards where it gets into contact with the spectacle lenses. The misting occurs from the warm water vapour content condensing on the cooler surface of the lens, and forming tiny droplets that scatter the light and reduce the ability of the lens to transmit contrast.1 The droplets form because of the inherent surface tension between the water molecules. Washing the spectacles with soapy water leaves behind a thin surfactant film that reduces this surface tension and causes the water molecules to spread out evenly into a transparent layer. This ‘surfactant effect’ is widely utilised to prevent misting of surfaces in many everyday situations.
Go to:
Reference
1. Margrain TH, Owen C. The misting characteristics of spectacle lenses. Ophthalmic Physiol Opt. 1996;16:108–14. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]

[Sunriser13]

10. Hmmm. Same theory as keeping the bathroom mirror from fogging up!

I may just give it a shot. I hope it doesn't leave them seeming cloudy.

Thank you for finding this.

[Phoenix61]

3. Sew a couple of loops along where the nose

part is and put a pipe cleaner through them. Use it to shape to your nose.

[jmbar2]

27. Inserting a nosewire worked for me too

I used a long twist tie, doubled over.

[C_U_L8R]

4. I have the same fogging problem and googled around a bit

Some suggested doing what scuba divers do. Before you go out with your mask, wash your glasses with soapy water and let dry. I tried it and it seems to work.

Also make sure your mask is snug to your face at the top and maybe a little looser at the bottom so the air vents downward (instead of up in your glasses).

[MuseRider]

34. Wow!

They always made us spit in our masks.

Thanks for all the suggestions to all of you. I work outside everyday, no matter what the weather, in winter I can never cover my face. I have tried all of these things so maybe it is different when cold is not the problem. Thank you!

[LunaSea]

5. The seal at the top is the key

Are you using a mask with a single elastic string?
Try adjusting the strings position to pull tighter at the top of the mask.
This is one reason heavier duty respirators have two or three straps, around the back of the head,
around the neck. If it's a disposable type you are using, consider maybe adding another strap/rubber band with a simple staple.
The tighter around the face, the less leakage when you exhale.

Another possible solution is what scuba divers do, rub them down with toothpaste or anything you might use to keep a shower mirror from fogging and see if that helps.

[Sunriser13]

12. Actually it's got polyester strips folded and stitched like binding.

Accordion-folded double (maybe triple) layered quilting fabric with two 18 to 20 inch strips to tie in the back.

Fiddling around with it kept making the top tie loosen and slide down my hair, too. Arrrrgggghh!
Maybe it's the polyester since it's so stretchy and doesn't hold a bow very well.

Toothpaste would scare me though. I don't even know if they make one without abrasives anymore.

[LunaSea]

22. Try the soap.

First I learned of the diver trick was using spit.
It works, but ick...

[Ohiogal]

6. I have the same problem

Thanks for the ideas, everyone. I’ll need to go get dog food tomorrow so I’ll give these a try. (all I have is a homemade mask made from a bandanna ... it fogs my glasses up to the point I can barely see where I’m going in a store)

[mr_lebowski]

7. I wonder if that Rain-X stuff for windshields would work? nt

[Sunriser13]

15. Ha!

I always wanted little windshield wipers for my glasses!

[Ferrets are Cool]

11. Someone told me to try washing them with Shaving cream.

Can't hurt to try it. (no, I haven't yet)

[Sunriser13]

14. I remember doing that with the bathroom mirror, too!

Barbasol Original, if you please. Edge just made the dam thing blurry! (Found that out the hard way!)

[Dem2theMax]

16. Believe it or not, they make Anti Fog spray.

I used to use it on my goggles when I went snow skiing. Just Google Anti Fog spray. It's out there everywhere.

[Sunriser13]

18. I hadn't heard of that.

What's frustrating is these are something I really splurged on, and I'm not a splurger. (Isn't that a word?!?)

Ultra high index, anti-glare, anti-fog, hydrophobic, progressive (no-line) tri-focals. The shiznit, I'm tellin' ya'!

Thought I had all the bases covered -

[Dem2theMax]

19. I've been wearing glasses since the second grade.

I couldn't see the big 'E' on the eye chart!
So I know where you're coming from.
I'm still trying to figure out how I found my way to school until I got glasses.

[Sunriser13]

20. That brought back a vivid memory!

Sixth grade vision test in the classroom. One of those lighted eye charts across the darkened room. I did just fine with my glasses on, 20/15 in both eyes. Then the teacher decided I had to do it with my glasses off. I did laugh, I admit it, because I knew I wasn't going to be able to see anything. I did it anyway, and when she told me to read it I told her the truth. All I could see was a blob of light. Honestly.

She didn't believe me, sent me to the principal's office, and he didn't believe me, either. They called my mother and she had to leave work to come to the school - and she turned that mutha' out, do you hear me? She left two sniveling grease spots in that office as she grabbed my hand and we left. I spent the rest of the day helping her at her office, typing letters and filing for her.

Wow! I hadn't thought of that in years!

[Dem2theMax]

21. You have me laughing my head off!

I know exactly what you're talking about when you say you can't see a thing without your glasses. I was legally blind without mine. You wonder what the teachers must be thinking.

My mom always wore glasses, so I think that's how I ended up getting my vision corrected. She probably dragged me along to one of her eye appointments, just for the fun of it, and then found out I couldn't see a darned thing!

Good for your mom for putting those teachers in their place! And the principal no less!

[Sunriser13]

23. You didn't mess with my mother.

She was the most soft-spoken genteel lady, however get her angry and watch out!! She could cuss you out without ever using a single curse word. We always joked that she taught me to cuss someone out as they smiled, and them not figure it out 'till two weeks later...

She was also one of the most intelligent people I've ever met in my life. She started teaching me by using self-made flash cards for me while I was literally still in my crib. When I entered first grade in Florida when I was five (I turned six in December, so skipped kindergarten altogether), I was reading "Gulliver's Travels" with complete understanding. When the class was learning their letters, they sent me to the Jr. High for English. Sigh. What a waste I've made of the opportunities I've had. Early admission to college at 15, screwed that up, too.

I lost her to diabetes when I was 18. I still miss her every day, 40 years later.

[Dem2theMax]

24. I can't imagine losing your mom when you were only 18.

I am so profoundly sorry. I was so blessed. I was 55 when my mom passed away. She was 93.

It's unfathomable to me how anybody goes through life without their parents around forever. Or what seemed like forever to me.

Your mom sounds like she was one special lady. And a great mom. Thank you for sharing some of your special memories with me. You really touched my heart.

For our parents.

[Sunriser13]

25. Thank you.

For our parents.

As for you:

[Dem2theMax]

26. And right back to you.

[Major Nikon]

40. All this time I've been using butthole grease

[Dem2theMax]

41. ...

[Laurelin]

28. Surgical masks

I don't wear glasses anymore because cataract surgery, but when I was young I wore surgical masks with glasses. Surgical masks typically had a strip of something, metal or plastic, I never took one apart to check. Anyway the strip is adjustable so if you press it to mold to your nose your glasses won't fog up. Since the goal is to breathe through your mask and not around it, you want to adjust it to fit. I have no idea how homemade masks work though. I ordered some but they're not hear yet, and apparently they are considering starting to lift restrictions here and nobody is wearing masks...

[Sunriser13]

29. Wasn't ignoring those of you that suggested pipe cleaners.

Unfortunately, when I went hunting for the ones I had here at the house, the only ones I found are the kind with both fibers and wires meant for scraping.

Wouldn't be too comfortable across the nose!

Thank you all for your suggestions, though. I really appreciate your time!

[Donkees]

30. Try over-the-counter medical tape to seal the edge of the mask on the bridge of your nose

[hlthe2b]

31. good idea!

[SouthernIrish]

32. I am an Optician

Order a product online named Cat Crap. No joke. That is the name of the product. It does work well. Keeps eyeglasses from fogging up. Walmart also sells it in the Vision Center. Call for hours of operation in the VC

[Sunriser13]

33. Never heard of that before!

If I get a newer employee, I'll get hung up on as a prank caller!



I will try to see if I can get some, though. Do you think I could get it delivered with an order? I didn't see it online...

[Sunriser13]

37. I did find it online!

I guess the bleary mind of 70 hours of no sleep missed using the right search terms. All I got earlier was Tidy Cats and Fresh Step.



Long story short, but I've been nursing an asthmatic 14 year old cat with bronchitis, compounded with lung damage from the house fire in 2015. Saline rinse for nostrils, TrizULTRA + Keto for ears, a bunch of shots at the vet yesterday, and still having the devil of a time coaxing him to eat, even with the appetite stimulant he was given. His bloodwork looked really good though, especially for a senior cat, so we're not yet in danger of organ failure, which can happen pretty fast when they won't eat.

A bit of delirium was settling in on me - that's my only excuse! Fell out here in the chair for a couple of hours, though. Eventually I'll be able to move again, but right now these old bones are shrieking!

Thanks for the suggestion!

[Hotler]

35. Here, have a look. anti fog

https://www.svencansee.com/

https://www.aerostich.com/catalogsearch/result/?cat=0&q=anti+fog

[Kaleva]

36. I place the bottom of the rims over the top of the mask which makes the mask snug against my nose

I also control my breathing and breathe only through my nose.

[Sunriser13]

38. That was what I had tried to do.

My frame style isn't quite large enough to press it down snugly.

There's some good ideas here, though - one of them is bound to work!

[Kaleva]

39. Many good ideas!