Medical masks as well as FFP2 respirators have been an integral part of our lives for the last two years. This will not change in the foreseeable future. As important and useful as the wearing of these masks is, it presents a challenge in everyday life for people with glasses.
Put on the mask, adjust it, and you're done. That's how easy it is for most of the population to use a mask. But it's a different story for people who wear glasses. For them, after putting on the mask, frustration follows within a very short time due to fogged lenses.
The problem: Condensation
The cause of this effect is the temperature difference between the air and the lenses. Near-sighted or far-sighted, we’re all familiar with this phenomenon, especially in autumn or winter. If you step out of a cold environment into a heated room, the lenses are still cold from the outside temperature. The air in the room, on the other hand, is warm, and the warmer the air, the more water it contains. When the warm air hits the cool lenses, it is suddenly cooled. Thus, the excess moisture condenses on the lenses and blurs the view. After a while, the glasses take on the ambient temperature. Then the condensation evaporates and the lenses become clear again. This adaptation takes longer the greater the temperature difference.
Some options against fogged lenses
The effect of wearing a mask is basically the same. The exhaled air has a higher temperature than your lenses. If the air you breathe now hits the lenses of your glasses, it cools down and the excess moisture fogs up the lenses. To prevent this when wearing a mask, it should be put on first and then the glasses on top of it. That way, the moist air you breathe flows past the glasses and they don't fog up as much.
Or you can wear your glasses a little lower on the nose, as long as it does not affect the quality of your vision. This puts more distance between the face and the glasses, and the exhaled air leaves less moisture on the lenses.
Another option is to exhale downward. Because in the end, even with a very well-fitted mask, the breath has to be directed past it to the outside.
The solution: our new Fogfree mask
We have been working hard to address the challenges faced by people with glasses when wearing medical protective masks and recently developed and launched the new Fogfree protective mask.
This Type IIR mask with a special anti-fog protection layer is classified according to EN 14683:2019 for medical face masks. The anatomically shaped mask is latex-free and is made of three layers of non-woven polypropylene fabric. The innermost layer absorbs fluids that are excreted by the wearer. The filter layer in the middle is the barrier for germs. The outermost layer is water repellent and protects the wearer from splashes.
The elastic ear loops made of soft Spunlace tape welded to the mask ensure high wearing comfort.
To allow the mask to be anatomically adjusted to the shape of the wearer's nose, an easily moldable, nose clip is integrated at the top. To protect from fogging, an inlay is integrated into the front of the nosepiece. This can be folded over, placed on the nose and fixed with the nosepiece. This results in an additional sealing effect and at the same time effective protection against fogged lenses.
Some tips for handling masks:
The masks may only be used where there are no wearing regulations for particle-filtering half masks.
The tips on hygiene as given in the recommendations of the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) and the Federal Center for Health Education (BZgA) should be followed.
Even with a mask, the recommended safety distance of at least 1.50 m from other people should be maintained.
The mask must fit snugly and fit over the mouth, nose and cheeks. The edges of the mask should fit snugly so that as little air as possible is breathed past the mask. is breathed past the mask. It is best to try different mask shapes until you find one that fits.
When using a mask for the first time, it should be tested to see if it allows enough air to pass through so that normal breathing is impeded as little as possible.
A soaked mask should be removed and changed.
When putting on and taking off the mask, it should be touched only by the straps of the mask, if possible.
After removing the mask, hands should be washed thoroughly (for at least 20 to 30 seconds using soap).