The issue of lens fog has become a hot topic of discussion and a driver of innovation due to increasing requirements for people to wear face masks and coverings in the current COVID-19 environment.
Fog is created when warm air hits a cool surface, causing condensation to form. When wearing a mask, warm air from the mouth and nose escapes through the top of the mask and hits the cooler spectacle lenses which causes this fogging.
During the initial stages of the COVID-19 pandemic, Safilo switched the focus of its research and development, industrialisation and manufacturing teams in Italy to produce eyewear and safety products to support local doctors, nurses and health professionals. The result of their efforts was the development of a Polaroid Face Shield for medical professionals, which has been further developed to meet the needs of the broader community.
“The Polaroid StaySafe face shield is designed for professional and continuous use thanks to its comfort and lightness,” explained Andrea Rolando, Senior Marketing Professional at Safilo Australia. “It is certified and tested under EN 1663 to ensure optical clarity and impact resistance, and is registered with the Therapeutic Goods Administration.
“We hope the shield may help practitioners continue to interact with their patients in this difficult time and maintain a sense of connection by allowing them to see eachother, without fogging up while wearing a mask.”
The StaySafe face shield protects the eyes and guarantees comfort, even in case of continuous use, ensuring maximum freedom of movement. Reusable, hygienic and adjustable to fit with an elastic band, Mr Rolando said it is easy to clean with soap and water. “It is also available in a kid’s size, making it perfect for school and as an alternative to a mask,” he added.
Polaroid has also developed a new visor (PLD 7038/S) which is designed for face protection, and is easy to clean and disinfect. The new visor by Polaroid Visor acts as a sunglass, protecting the eyes and face thanks to a wide wrapped lens, with 100% UV protection.
Anti-fog lens coatings are another sensible recommendation to help both medical practitioners and patients remain fog-free in an environment when face masks and coverings are increasingly required.
Shamir Australia Chief Executive Officer Paul Stacey said spectacle lenses with an anti-fog lens coating, like Shamir Glacier, offer a permanent, long term and hassle-free solution that prevents the back surface of the lens from fogging up while wearing a mask.
“Even outside the pandemic environment, anti-fog lenses make sense as they ensure clear and comfortable vision for sports, during activities where safety glasses are required, and even while wearing medical/hygiene masks,” he said.
Options to minimise / avoid lens fogging include:
- Wear spectacles with an anti-fog lens coating,
- Wash lenses with soapy water and shake off excess liquid, then allow them to air dry or gently wipe them off with a soft cloth. The thin film the soap leaves behind acts as a fog barrier,
- Wear contact lenses, taking into consideration the need for careful contact lens hygiene,
- Wear a mask with a nose bridge, or one shaped to fit the face, to prevent warm air from escaping through the top of the mask,
- Pull the mask up higher on the nose, then use spectacles to seal it and shape it to the face, and
- Tape the mask down around the bridge of the nose and across the cheeks, using tape manufactured for use on the skin.
