Options to fog-proof lenses

The objective is to prevent condensation from sticking to your lenses, but without damaging any special coatings or the lenses, themselves. Here’s how to effectively do so:

• Choose a different lens material--Water adheres well to glass, but not so much to plastic or polycarbonate. Find out if these options are available to you
• Pursue anti-reflective treatments--Yes, they’re designed to reduce glare, and hydrophobic (water-repellent) coatings are part of how anti-reflective treatments work. That means eliminating 3 common problems (reflections, fogging and smear marks) in one solution
• Keep your lenses squeaky clean--No matter what kind of lens materials, coatings or treatments you have, you’ll still need to clean them regularly, and take care to avoid scratches. Fingerprints, scratches and dirt all facilitate condensation buildup on the lens surface, which makes fogging worse.

So just like brushing your teeth, make it a habit to clean your glasses. However, only use cleaning solutions approved for your lenses, and ask your eye doctor if it’s safe to use mild dish detergent for your glasses. Anti-fog lens wipes are another popular option for on-the-go cleaning. Using any other cleaner (even window cleaner!) on your lenses may damage their coatings or leave micro-scratches--which definitely won’t help you see clearly!

• Ventilation is your friend--Naturally allowing more air to flow around both sides of the lens will facilitate evaporation, the process that reverses fogging. If there’s little-to-no gap between your frames and your face, first try having your frames adjusted around the nose and arms. If that doesn’t help, you may want to shop for a new pair of frames that lets air flow more freely.
• Smart design for safer sport--Ski and snowboard goggles combine both ventilation and anti-fog coatings to keep the wearer’s vision clear, an important part of keeping them safe.
• A quick-fix that’s okay to use--It’s generally inadvisable to use something not designed for eyewear lenses, but lotion-free shaving cream actually proves gentle enough to use. Gently spread a small amount over the front and back of your lenses. Once it’s dried, use a non-abrasive microfiber cloth to wipe the lenses clean. An invisible surfactant film will remain on the lens, which makes it harder for water to stick, so you get less fogging.