Masks and glasses - at my wits end

[Mcmole]

Has anyone got any magic way to stop my glasses steaming up in a mask? It is worse in the cold weather, and now we have to wear them at school pick up I am actually really stressed about it as I have to walk through the playground in a total fog and not recognise anyone. It makes me panic, feel really disorientated, and feels unsafe. Possibly hot flushes (ugggghhhh) are not helping the situation either!

I have tried the nose wire, plastic 'cages', an anti-fog cloth (which doesn't seem to work), and really can't afford to spend much more on different types of masks (I've got loads, 90% of them feel too big which doesn't help I guess). Unwilling to try washing up liquid/shaving foam as due to my prescription my glasses are expensive and I've heard these can wreck the coating!

Also, because I do have a very strong prescription, I can't move them to a slightly different position as it throws me totally off balance.

Since they became compulsory I have simply avoided any situations where they are needed (not a great hardship at all for me as I am very much an online shopper at the best of times!) but I can't avoid picking up my daughter. As it is I am waiting until the pick up queue starts to move to minimise my time in it but I do need to be able to see to safely walk along and avoid cars/bikes/people.

Any advice? I understand to some people this is not going to sound like a big problem but after a really shit year it just feels like the final straw.

Not sure if it's already been mentioned but a top tip is wiping fairy liquid over the lense with a soft cloth & rub in . My sons driving instructor told us as my son glasses were fogging up whist his wearing mask ! Worth a try !

Frog Spit. Seriously! Google it! It's a concoction you spray on your glasses. Originally used for goggles and masks for swimmers. I've been using it for years and it really works. A small bottle lasts a very long time - my current bottle is at least 18 months old and so going strong.

I wear glasses and don't have a problem bi have to wear a mask at work. The secret for me is to wear it really hight up just under your eyelashes, under your glasses.

So much solidarity here!
I haven't found a solution either and not wearing a mask in the playground isn't an option here in Scotland.

I have to wear one for an eight hour shift and rarely have a problem. Two things really helped me -

1. Breathe out through your nose and in through your mouth. It feels weird at first, but really works.

2. I fiddled around with sewing patterns and have eventually come up with my own. They use a lot more fabric than usual, but cover the face right up to the ears and have a big fold under the chin area, they seems to absorb the moisture you breathe out better, and also you don't get that claustrophobic feeling. They have a fold in the top to insert a folded in half pipe cleaner, which gives you a great seal over the nose to stop the moist air from going on your glasses. If you would like me to give you the measurements/instructions, please let me know.

I got an anti fog cloth from my optician. Works a dream. Wipe over once a day. No fog or very little.

Tangling is even worse when wearing glasses and hearing aids. I have to wait until I am back home or in the car to sit and untangle slowly. No tips for the fogging up though Im afraid. The anti fog cloth sounds promising so will give that a go.

Check out combatcovidmasks on Instagram. Her scrunchy style masks work great with glasses ime. Or as others have said, the paper masks don't seem to steam up (at least for me).

Our school insist on masks outside the gate, I drop off (and collect) 2 different KS so have to wait about for 15 minutes. Can't see a fucking thing.

I'm more likely to get hit by a cyclist than catch covid (Road in front of school closes to all traffic except bikes for 30 minutes every morning and afternoon!!)

Some interesting tips here.

And yes it's definitely the cold / heat as I have no issue with mask inside... other than momentary fogginess which passes within seconds.

@Shelleyjelly80

I am currently having the same issue, I have found that the disposable masks are much better for the school run as I can mould the metal strip and put it higher up under my specs. It's going to be a pain all winter due to the temperature differences but if you do warm up your specs DO NOT USE A HAIRDRYER ON THEM!!! it will destroy your coatings and the lenses will have to be replaced. Warming them up gently in your hands is best. I am a dispensing optician and have seen no end of lens coatings damaged by heat!

That's weird, I blow dry my hair with my glasses on, have done for......oooooo.....forty years? Not damaged the coating as far as I know.

But I admit, it would never cross my mind to actually try to heat up my glasses with a hairdryer.

My friend was telling me she had googled something and said it worked - a way of putting on your ask to avoid foggy glasses that is, rather than something you buy specially. She went on about it at great length but I am afraid I did not really listen!

I have to remove my glasses as I walk along, especially walking across the road or looking for bus numbers! Also major pain in butt when reading on the bus too!!

Just to update, tested out the surgical tape and seems to be successful. Only problem is that it's a pita to get sorted when you're out and about juggling bag/umbrella etc too. And taking it off wasn't great either as it pulled a bit But for situations where you really need to see clearly it is a decent enough option.

I wear glasses and a fabric mask which goes up high enough to tuck under the glasses and generally have no issues.

This is me too, and I find the initial fog clears after a short while.

I had my eyes tested the other day and the Borg glasses thing kept getting fogged up. It was hilarious trying to work out whether the red or the green circle was clearer when I couldn't see either.



I've tried everything and nothing has worked for me so far. Hate it!

@bellinisurge I want to get my eyes tested but trying to put it off for as long as possible as don't think this would be very easy!

@TurquoiseDragon do you have quite large glasses? Mine are narrower so not really very easy to do!

No advice but just another forlorn glasses-wearing steaming-up voice.
I try to fit my mask as close to my nose as I can and put my glasses on over it. I always carry a lens cloth and am forever furiously wiping them. I miss about 75% of people's facial expressions in conversation as I'm so short-sighted and so frequently whipping off my glasses to de-fog.

I'm going to try Frog Spit.

I have slightly larger glasses now, but when I had smaller glasses, about a month ago, I still put my glasses on top of the mask. It did help that I made my own and made them slightly larger to be able to put them under the glasses.

I have a small enough face to be able to wear the mask higher up than most people (whilst still covering my nose, mouth and chin). The mask therefore sits under my glasses, rather than just below it.

As well as positioning it high up, I press on the wire to fit to my actual nose shape.

Above works every time for me. I use those standard blue disposable masks that everywhere sells. They're better at stopping the fogging than the fabric reusable ones.

I'm currently on a bus with a home made mask that has quite a pointy bit over the nose

I've got it pulled right up with my glasses over the top

Seems to be working

Trouble with putting my glasses over them is that they slide so far forward I can't see anything because the focus is gone. And I end up looking like Eric Morecambe.
😂😂😂

I wear a full-face visor that sits over my glasses - no problems.

I got some from this Etsy shop which you pinch to your nose and they stop the steaming. I've gone back for more since - someone on here recommended them.

@bellinisurge

Trouble with putting my glasses over them is that they slide so far forward I can't see anything because the focus is gone. And I end up looking like Eric Morecambe. 😂😂😂

Yes, that's my other problem. And they fall off because they are not on the skin on my nose but on slidey fabric.

@Georgyporky

I wear a full-face visor that sits over my glasses - no problems.

They're useless though.