Blog Hero

This Mask Is Making My Glasses Fog

Book Appointment

We are hearing this a lot lately!  Sadly, we may be wearing these masks for some time. We are going to have to learn how to manage this annoying problem.

Our glasses are fogging because of simple chemistry.  When our warm, moist breath hits the cooler lens surface of our glasses, the gas state of our breath condenses into the liquid state and results in the ‘fog’ on our glasses.  The ‘fog’ stays on our glasses because of surface tension.  To eliminate, or at least lessen, the fogging, decreasing the surface tension of our breath will help.

Although we cannot actually change the surface tension of our breath as it leaves our mouth or nose, we can change it on our glasses lens surface.  Soap works to do this!  Washing your glasses with warm (not hot) soapy water will work – just like soap cuts grease when washing dishes.  There are also several commercially available products that work like soap.  The advantage of these products is that they last much longer.  The product we like and have used for years is called Cat Crap – really, that is the name! 

Some of the advanced lens surface anti-glare and scratch coatings make soap and Cat Crap less effective.  Make sure your glasses are nice and clean.  Any debris on the lens will provide more ‘cling’ for the fog.  

Some anti-fog products may irritate some people with allergies or sensitivities, so be careful.

There are some ways to lessen the amount of warm, moist breath that gets on your lenses. 

  1. make sure the mask is tight against your nose – a wired mask will help with this
  2. slide your glasses down your nose just a little bit
  3. try attaching a Kleenex to the top, inside edge of your mask to absorb the moisture

Wearing contact lenses is also an option that will completely avoid having to wear glasses at the same time as wearing a mask.

Let’s all hope that we do not have to wear the masks for too long!

Hang in there!

Written by Dr. Kim Crowe

More Articles By Dr. Kim Crowe

Our Location

Our Address

  • #243, 414 3 St S.W.
  • Calgary, AB T2P 1R2

Contact Information

Hours Of Operation

  • Monday: 8:00 AM 5:00 PM
  • Tuesday: 8:00 AM 5:00 PM
  • Wednesday: 8:00 AM 5:00 PM
  • Thursday: 8:00 AM 5:00 PM
  • Friday: 8:00 AM 5:00 PM
  • Saturday: Closed
  • Sunday: Closed

PARKING AVAILABLE

Parking is available in the Calgary Place Parkade. The entrance is off 4th Ave. SW across from the Keg. There is a height limit of 5’11”. Please register your license plate number with the front desk when you arrive at the office.

Our Blog

Check out our Blog for news updates and eye care tips!

Why Do My Eyes Hurt When I Blink?

Eye Health

Blinking is something we do without thinking, until it starts to hurt. If you have been asking yourself, “Why do my eyes hurt when I blink?” you are not alone.Pain while blinking can be annoying, distracting, and in some cases, a sign that something is not quite right with your eye health. The most common […]

Read More…

September 3, 2025
Downtown Vision Care

What Causes Dry Eyes with Contacts?

Dry Eye

Wearing contact lenses can be an incredible convenience, offering clear vision without the hassle of glasses. However, this convenience comes at a price for many—dry eyes. Several things can cause dry eyes with contacts, including: You are not alone if you have experienced that burning, gritty, irritating sensation after wearing contacts. Dry eyes are one […]

Read More…

September 3, 2025
Downtown Vision Care

What Is a Visual Field Test?

Eye Exams

When people think of eye exams, they immediately think of eye charts and prescription lenses. While these tools play a valuable role in vision care, a comprehensive eye exam includes much more. The goal is to gain detailed insights into your overall eye health, and a visual field test—something many people may be unfamiliar with—is […]

Read More…

September 3, 2025
Downtown Vision Care
Close-up of a woman's green eyes with visible redness and irritation, showing long eyelashes and natural eyebrows.

Blinking is something we do without thinking, until it starts to hurt. If you have been asking yourself, “Why do my eyes hurt when I blink?” you are not alone.Pain while blinking can be annoying, distracting, and in some cases, a sign that something is not quite right with your eye health. The most common […]

Read More…

Diagram of an eye with labels showing structures such as the cornea, iris, lens, retina, and sclera, highlighting dry and irritated conjunctiva as a cause of dry eyes.

Wearing contact lenses can be an incredible convenience, offering clear vision without the hassle of glasses. However, this convenience comes at a price for many—dry eyes. Several things can cause dry eyes with contacts, including: You are not alone if you have experienced that burning, gritty, irritating sensation after wearing contacts. Dry eyes are one […]

Read More…

When people think of eye exams, they immediately think of eye charts and prescription lenses. While these tools play a valuable role in vision care, a comprehensive eye exam includes much more. The goal is to gain detailed insights into your overall eye health, and a visual field test—something many people may be unfamiliar with—is […]

Read More…

instagram facebook facebook2 pinterest twitter google-plus google linkedin2 yelp youtube phone location calendar share2 link star-full star star-half chevron-right chevron-left chevron-down chevron-up envelope fax