fencers who wear glasses - how do you prevent fogging?

[crunchy]

Hello! My 11yo son fences sabre and recently started wearing glasses. The problem is that as soon as he puts on his mask, the lenses fog up. This happens with his regular glasses as well as the "rec specs" we got him specifically for sports (mini-goggles with prescription lenses). We've tried defogging cloths meant for ski goggles as well as "Cat Crap"* that the sport shop said was the best. No good. He tends to "run hot" and sweat a lot, which probably doesn't help. Any other glasses-wearing fencers have a defogging solution to recommend?

Thanks!

~tasia
Nick's mom


*Yes, it's really called Cat Crap. Don't know why.

[kmwong]

Hmm...yeah I have encountered that problem before I started to wear contacts (but I know that an 11 year old probably wouldn't wear those)...the lenses fog up because the air around it is warmer than the lenses. Perhaps set the glasses on top of the heating vent before wearing them? The key is to get them warm before you put them in a warm mask. If you have cold glasses and a warm mask, they will fog. Maybe use the anti-fog solution as well as warming them?

Sorry, that's all I have to offer, I hope it works out!

[Morale Officer]

My glasses use to fog pretty good with my old masks (I had a BG "Olympic" and an AF Sabre). You could actually try bar soap or hand soap (the bar soap worked on the lenses I had for my SCBA Mask with the Fire Department - rub the dry bar on the lense to coat it, then use a cloth and wipe it away - I did this after every time I had to put on an air pack with the fire department). I also sweat a good bit and ended up switching both my foil and sabre masks to the LP X-Change. Since I switched, I don't have as much of the problem I had before. Occasionally one lense will partially fog now, but that usually goes away if I lift my mask to wipe my face quick. Other than switching masks to one that allows a little more air flow or trying the soap, I'm not sure what to tell you.

[dridge]

I'd try a headband.

Drew

[TripleTTT]

Swimmers wear goggles that have an anti-fog thing to them. But when the anti-fog stuff wears off, they use a special spray on the lenses of the goggles and it helps prevent the goggles from fogging. You can probably find this at a local sports store. I am not sure if this will work on you son's glasses so I would talk to someone who nows the product and can tell you if it is safe to put on glasses. I have seen this work before, but only for one fencer who I know. THis may ruin you son's glasses, I don't know, just throughing the idea out there. Like I said, you should talk to someone about the product to see if it will help the glasses before you use it.

Hope this works, but I wouldn't use this as your first option.

[pillow]

Hello! My 11yo son fences sabre and recently started wearing glasses. The problem is that as soon as he puts on his mask, the lenses fog up. This happens with his regular glasses as well as the "rec specs" we got him specifically for sports (mini-goggles with prescription lenses). We've tried defogging cloths meant for ski goggles as well as "Cat Crap"* that the sport shop said was the best. No good. He tends to "run hot" and sweat a lot, which probably doesn't help. Any other glasses-wearing fencers have a defogging solution to recommend?

Thanks!

~tasia
Nick's mom


*Yes, it's really called Cat Crap. Don't know why.

There are many, many kids this age and younger who wear contacts. It is very common. Contact lens technology is currently quite advanced. You need to see a pediatric opthalmologist, NOT an optometrist, and you will do fine. Forget glasses for sports.

[crunchy]

There are many, many kids this age and younger who wear contacts. It is very common. Contact lens technology is currently quite advanced. You need to see a pediatric opthalmologist, NOT an optometrist, and you will do fine. Forget glasses for sports.

You are absolutely right, when it comes to typical children. My son has some special needs that preclude him wearing contacts at this time (we've been seeing a great pediatric ophthalmologist for years). I'm hoping we can find something that will work for him, glasses and all.

[Morale Officer]

Forget glasses for sports.

This is only true for those that CAN wear contacts. Personally, I can't touch my eyes or have anything that close to my eyes. As it is, my allergies are so bad that I daren't even think about contacts - I'd either scratch/rub them out or my eyes would tear so badly that they'd flood out. Theoretically Lasik is another option, but depending on the situation, some people can't get the surgery (in my case, my script is too strong plus I have bifocals - even if a doc would agree to touch my eyes, I can't afford it) for various reasons. Some of us are stuck with glasses unfortunately.

[edew]

Get him the smallest size glasses. If it's small, there's more space between the face and the lens and that will allow air to move around and clear up the fogging.

[jjefferies]

Geeze, you guys sound like nobody else has ever had this problem. I've lived with it for years. Frankly I don't like contacts, if you have astigmatism they are less than optimal and there is the simple fact that glasses have saved my eyes several times in my lifetime.

But to the OP's question, there are any number of sprays, wipes, waxes etc that can help. Most are some formulation of silicone. The best that I ever ran across is "Cat Crap" and NO, this is not what a pussy cat does in its box. It's a trade name. Where to find these?? I've had the best luck with motorcycle shops. But I'm sure there are other places including the optical stores in your local mall. CAVEATs, they help. Sometimes, under certain conditions, they work very well. But I've not found anything which works under all circumstances. Usually it's not a problem at large tournaments in air conditioned halls. Most problematic is an unheated gym where your sweat and breath within the mask condenses on the glasses. Most workable solution I've found for fencing is "MOVE A LOT". Any air movement at all will greatly alleviate the problem. Spit also works. Spit on your glasses and wipe them off. Leaves a slight film which will help.

But like I said nothing works all the time. But I still prefer glasses to contacts (generally) for the protection they provide my eyes.

[King Thunderblast III]

You're supposed to wear glasses underneath the mask? Ah lol! I had no idea. Recently had to start wearing them for lectures (though only lectures...) I just leave them off, tbf most people aren't aware of my need of them, so I guess you can say that I'm hardly affected either way.

But yes, anti fog solution seems like a good idea.

[TBean]

As he just started wearing glasses you will have to see if this is a year-round problem or seasonal - I mostly have an issue in the winter. As suggested try warming up the glasses more to see if that helps. Also try having your son take his mask off and wipe away some of his sweat with a towel or a bandanna that he keeps in the pocket of his knickers, or try one of the under-armor caps to wick away some of the sweat and heat. If it is within the budget - although at 11 he is only going to get bigger and I could see not wanting to lay out the cash - the Leon Paul mask might help increase airflow and decrease the amount of fogging.

Also, how severe is prescription. Can he possibly continue to fence without his glasses? For many years I managed to fence without mine - the fencer was not so far away from me that I could not see them clearly and judge distance. I understand that this may not be the solution but thought I would throw it out there.

[Carpinator]

Get him the smallest size glasses. If it's small, there's more space between the face and the lens and that will allow air to move around and clear up the fogging.

This is the right track. Smaller glasses as far away from the face as possible will help the problem. I tried all the goggles and sprays in my career and never found them all that effective. Then when smaller lenses became more fashionable I was pleasantly surprised how much less fogging I had.

[happyfencer]

There are many, many kids this age and younger who wear contacts. It is very common. Contact lens technology is currently quite advanced. You need to see a pediatric opthalmologist, NOT an optometrist, and you will do fine. Forget glasses for sports.

Yes definitely contacts. Besides fogging up, glasses can also get knocked askew, or slide down your nose.

[TBean]

You need to see a pediatric opthalmologist, NOT an optometrist, and you will do fine. Forget glasses for sports.

Yes definitely contacts. Besides fogging up, glasses can also get knocked askew, or slide down your nose.

You are both laboring under the assumption that everyone can wear contacts. Even with the advances in technology there are numerous factors - ranging from physical to psychological - that make it difficult, impossible or unproductive for someone to wear contacts. Using myself as an example - my eyes are straightforward to correct, but I have poor tear dispersion so contacts are not feasible. When I put contacts in all they accomplish is to make me want to claw at my eyes.

So, no, not everyone can forgo their glasses when fencing.

[ladyofshalott99]

This is only true for those that CAN wear contacts. Personally, I can't touch my eyes or have anything that close to my eyes. As it is, my allergies are so bad that I daren't even think about contacts - I'd either scratch/rub them out or my eyes would tear so badly that they'd flood out. Theoretically Lasik is another option, but depending on the situation, some people can't get the surgery (in my case, my script is too strong plus I have bifocals - even if a doc would agree to touch my eyes, I can't afford it) for various reasons. Some of us are stuck with glasses unfortunately.

I am unfortunately one of these people. I don't have the fog problem, but then I use plastic lenses vs. pure glass. Perhaps it's the composition of the lens itself that lends itself to an increased tendency for fog (glass vs plastic/polycarbonate). Since I switched to a non-glass lens, I've noticed over time that I don't fog up so much any more.

Even though I have always disliked wearing glasses with my fencing masks, contacts are 100% out. I have chronic dry eye to the point that stuff like Restasis (prescription dry eye drops) doesn't even help. Contacts tend to fall out because my eyes get so dry (and itchy!!!) they just don't have anything left to stick to.

I've considered LASIK, but the only kind I've been told I can do is the type where it takes 5 days to heal (as opposed to the newer technology with a one-day turnaround time) because of the dry-eye problem. I just don't have that kind of time that I want to be off of work (nor can I sit still for that long). So nerd-glasses it is.

[fatfencer]

Hello! My 11yo son fences sabre and recently started wearing glasses. The problem is that as soon as he puts on his mask, the lenses fog up. This happens with his regular glasses as well as the "rec specs" we got him specifically for sports (mini-goggles with prescription lenses). We've tried defogging cloths meant for ski goggles as well as "Cat Crap"* that the sport shop said was the best. No good. He tends to "run hot" and sweat a lot, which probably doesn't help. Any other glasses-wearing fencers have a defogging solution to recommend?

Thanks!

~tasia
Nick's mom


*Yes, it's really called Cat Crap. Don't know why.

I wear glasses and have no problems once I switched to the Xchange mask by Leon Paul. It breathes so much better and the coolmax lining keeps you so cool. Best mask ever. EVVVVER!!!!

I also wear like 4 headbands and a do-rag(lesbian solidarity!!!) to keep the moisture from getting in my eyes. helps tremendously.

When I had my allstar I would fog. No more fog.

FF

[Inquartata]

Fatfencer may be onto something there.

As many people know, I wear...uh...glasses under my mask when fencing. Rather large ones, close to my face.

I also wear a sweatband.

The only time I ever get fogging is if I remove the sweatband for a few seconds, or take off the glasses to clean them. Then I can't make the fogging stop. Weird.

OTOH, my stupid visor mask fogs like nobody's business. Maybe 'cause it's made in England?

[Dev]

Man, I bet those "glasses" look weird as hell underneath a visor mask. Not exactly what Rene had in mind, huh?

[The Jersey Devil]

Glasses fogging up is also a big problem in snowboarding. I had the item on this link recommended to me to add on to ski goggles. Maybe it would be adaptable to the rx sports glasses.

http://www.habervision.com/product/12013.aspx