One of the worst things about having to wear glasses is if they fog up while you wear them. Quite common if you go between different temperature environments. When we are commuting to work the first steps outside or into the office building can cause our glasses to fog in an instant. We’ve all had the glass fog when we’ve opened the oven door or steamy dishwasher only to fog up our glasses in an instant. Running in colder temperatures, the warmth from your breath or sweat from your face, especially your forehead, can fog up your glasses that are already relatively cool.
There a few things you can do to stop this annoying incident from happening, and we’ve listed a few here to help you resolve the dilemma.
Lenses with Anti-fog properties
Have lenses with materials that are less likely to fog-up fitted to your frames. Glass lenses are more likely to fog. Polycarbonate and plastic lenses may resist fogging to a better degree.
Consider getting an anti-fog coating next time you get your prescription filled. The coating is applied to both sides of the lenses and is applied only once when being produced. The coating never needs to be reapplied.
Optifog® is a unique anti-fog lens which uses a special activator applied with an Optifog® Smart Textile for an invisible and fog-free effect.
Anti-Reflective Treatments
There are some anti-reflective treatments on the market that have the added benefit of resisting fogging. Some of these treatments are hydrophobic, which makes them resistant to water and therefore fogging as well.
A different glasses style
It might be possible to buy glasses that fit your face differently. Prescription glasses that rest further from your face will allow air to circulate the lenses to reduce fogging. Look at the maybe getting a different frame size, one that might alleviate the fogging.
Anti-fog wipes
A single-use anti-fog wipe explicitly made for preventing foggy lenses is safest for your lenses and won’t harm anti-glare or photochromic coatings of the lenses.
Sprays and Paste
Sprays are available that work as anti-fogging for glasses. They are usually in the format of a small spray pump bottle, which you spray on the lens then wipe off with a microfibre cloth.
The alternative to a spray is a paste. You rub on, then rub off to get the protection.
These sprays and paste coatings, act in the same manner as a permanent coating. But they will eventually wear off and so need to be reapplied at regular intervals.
Have your frames adjusted in-store
Another way to help stop your glasses fogging up is to get them adjusted to allow more air circulation around them. Ask your optometrist if they can fine-tune the nose pads or arms to give you more clearance of your face. There won’t be a lot of movement possible here, but it’s worth a try if it improves the fogging situation.
Try wearing a Headband
Try wearing a headband during your run or walk. A headband may be enough to soak up the up any sweat that forms on your face and reduce the condensation build-up on your glasses.
Keep your glasses clean
If your glasses are dirty, give them a clean. Condensation can cling to oily smudges and dirt on your lenses. Use a lens cleaner or a gentle dishwashing liquid. The properties of both these can reduce fogging.
Contact Lenses
Changing to contact lenses is not an answer for everyone but an option for some. Using contact lenses, of course, is not fixing the problem with your glasses but avoiding the issue totally by moving to a different visual medium.
Remember: Unless your lenses include an anti-fog treatment, fog prevention remedies are only temporary and must be reapplied regularly for the best results.
