Many Coloradans who wear glasses for vision challenges have been struggling to properly wear masks in public due to their prescription glasses or sunglasses fogging up. The Colorado Optometric Association, 2020 Eyes Colorado and Colorado’s doctors of optometry have compiled the following solutions to make mask wearing easier. These tips will help you reduce or eliminate fogging and keep you from touching your mask and face when in public.

Now let’s talk about making mask wearing with glasses easier!

Using Medical Tape
Applying medical tape to the top of the mask across the nose and cheeks will significantly reduce fogging since the air flow will have to find a different path to exit the mask. This is great for use in public places when you don’t want to fidget with your mask or glasses, but it can irritate sensitive skin. If irritation occurs, individuals can try different types of medical tape or limiting using tape for a bi-weekly shopping trip or only in higher risk situations.

Washing Lenses with Dish Soap
This anti-fogging method has been used by surgeons, scuba divers, and now the general public. Immediately before wearing a mask, wash lenses with dish soap and then dry the lenses with a lens cloth. The soapy water leaves a thin film on the lenses that reduces surface tension and spreads water droplets evenly across the surface so the condensation is not visible. Be careful not to scratch the lenses when drying!

Putting Tissue Inside of the Mask
Simply use a tissue folded into a rectangle and tape inside of your mask across the bridge of your nose. This will act as a barrier to fogging glasses and the tissue also absorbs moisture build up inside the mask.

Why wear a mask? The CDC and Governor Polis recommend that the public wear cloth face masks in public settings in an effort to slow the spread of Covid-19. Cloth masks can be made at home using household items or low-cost items and should be washed regularly. It’s important to note that individuals should not to touch their eyes, nose, and mouth when wearing or removing their face covering and wash hands immediately after removing. Masks should not be worn by children under 2 years of age. Learn more about face masks and view instructions on making them on the CDC website.