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Comment by vorpalhex | Hacker News Reader

As someone who wears glasses, the masks without vents constantly fog up my glasses and make it a real pain to function. Not to mention the last thing I want is to be fussing with something on my face without washing my hands first, but I also need to be able to see to accomplish anything.

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It isn't a "solution" but those stick on aluminum "Nose Bridges" can help a little (they shape the mask around your nose so your breath cannot travel up as well, fogging up your glasses).

You'll still get some fogging even with a Nose Bridge, but it is less severe. They're available from many online retailers for quite cheap.

I get very little glasses fog with my setup - a 3M 7503 half-face (modified to remove the vent feature), with 2297 filters. With a clean shaven face, I've got a positive seal for both inhale and exhale. I think the little bit of fog I occasionally get is because the 2297 filters direct a little air out of their backside when I exhale deeply. I imagine the problem would completely disappear with 5N71 or 6xxxx (combo) filters. Good luck finding stock though.

I had this problem too. Try pulling the bridge of your glasses down a little bit over the top of the mask, that usually helps. Or create a seal at the top as other commenters suggested. Also be mindful if you are breathing out through your nose or mouth, it makes a difference depending on how your mask fits.

You can seal the mask around your nose with medical tape, e.g. 3M Transpore.

Earlier on, I read a suggestion for taking a length-wise folded tissue and placing it under the upper edge of the mask to help seal the gap. Have you tried anything of the sort?

I would guess that if air is escaping from the mask around your nose, it is also entering that way, and so wearing masks of that design is not doing much to help either you or others. The vent merely hides the presence of leaks, by redirecting the leaked outflow, but not the leaking inflow.

The only effective solution is a mask that fits properly.

sounds rough. on the other hand, healthcare workers perform surgeries with them on, so.......you should just deal with it.

Yes, it's also important to note that they typically use surgery masks, not homemade masks or N95. A surgery mask fits very differently and having worn one for hours, I can attest that they are much more comfortable and at least for me don't present the glass fogging issue. They also are not sufficiently protective against coronavirus.

I encourage you to remember that this is a place of meaningful discussion, not brow beating or one-upping.

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