Prescription Glasses and Fogging

[Guidry]

I've asked this on another forum and all I got was replies to the effect of "don't wear glasses, wear contacts". Well that's not an option for me. My eyesight needs help, especially during lower light conditions like night games. Problem is that the lenses fog up badly under the mask. I'm looking for solutions that any of you have found. The only thing I have found to help at all was getting a pair of frames that were narrow (in height) so there was more air flow around them. Problem is that the smaller lenses tend to limit peripheral vision and can be a distraction. 

I'd like to hear about what types of glasses/lens treatments some of you wear. 

Thanks

[noumpere]

There's some sort of eyeglass cleaner that allegedly helps prevent the fogging.

 

Google will probably help in about .18 seconds.

[Sut'n Blue]

 

Cat crap, yes that is the name, works pretty well. 

[BT_Blue]

1 hour ago, Sut'n Blue said:

 

Cat crap, yes that is the name, works pretty well. 

I no longer wear glasses (thank you LASIK!) but part of me wants to buy a container of this just to have it.

By the way... A quick Amazon search and found it for between $6 and $9 along with a bunch of others.

[Kevin_K]

@Richvee  , resident optics expert, where are you on this? 

[Richvee]

2 hours ago, Guidry said:

I've asked this on another forum and all I got was replies to the effect of "don't wear glasses, wear contacts". Well that's not an option for me. My eyesight needs help, especially during lower light conditions like night games. Problem is that the lenses fog up badly under the mask. I'm looking for solutions that any of you have found. The only thing I have found to help at all was getting a pair of frames that were narrow (in height) so there was more air flow around them. Problem is that the smaller lenses tend to limit peripheral vision and can be a distraction. 

I'd like to hear about what types of glasses/lens treatments some of you wear. 

Thanks

As mentioned, cat crap works. Also, as you mentioned, narrower frame size could help, but that may not be the whole problem. If your glasses are sitting real close to your face, air circulation doesn't occur, and they'll fog up. You can have a larger size lens, but they need to be fitted/adjusted to sit a little farther from your face. Air circulation, and cat crap should solve any issues. 

A frame that sits like this

Is going to work better than one that sits like this

And if your frame is anything close to this big, it's going to be tough to keep them from fogging.

[MadMax]

As an avid and experienced snowboarder, I've recommended this: http://blugoo.com/products/

Blu Goo was introduced to me at the EAA Oshkosh Airshow, where the two guys who invented the stuff were slathering it on and wiping it off any sunglasses or eyeglasses that came within arm's length of them and their little kiosk table. They were even demonstrating its use on civilian / kit-plane windscreens, and they say it's also intended for scuba goggles too. It was invented and continues to be made in Utah.

The other (or additional) option is to use vented eyeglasses. This may get pricey, and your selection may not be as diverse as unaltered lenses, but there are some models of Oakley sport sunglasses, for best example, that do offer prescription lenses. The one that comes to mind is the Oakley RadarLock. Fellow umpires rave about the PRIZM sun-lenses, but if you work through a Prescription Eyewear store, you may be able to get lenses, at your prescription settings, with the features of the frames... namely, a slight tint to enhance optical clarity, reduce fatigue and strain, and vented.

[NavyChiefBlue]

These are the ones I am currently using. I haven't had a problem.

http://www.zennioptical.com/744412-plastic-half-rim-frame.html

I got them with the transition type lenses, so I don't have to change out mid-game anymore. It makes it a lot easier.

Only down side is, I have to take them off to read the lineup card.

 

Edited October 27, 2016 by NavyChiefBlue
more info

[Mister B]

I don't need glasses any more after cataract surgery a couple years back, but after working a game when I ended up twice with a face full of turface, I decided I need to wear some kind of eye protection. Our main field uses the red turface, so I got light rose tinted, which actually makes the ball pop. They help with the sun but are usable during overcast days. I do have yellow or clear lenses that will snap in, but the rose will work for now. But this is great, because they do fog up. Especially now when it's in the 40s. 

[Richvee]

4 hours ago, MadMax said:

As an avid and experienced snowboarder, I've recommended this: http://blugoo.com/products/

Blu Goo was introduced to me at the EAA Oshkosh Airshow, where the two guys who invented the stuff were slathering it on and wiping it off any sunglasses or eyeglasses that came within arm's length of them and their little kiosk table. They were even demonstrating its use on civilian / kit-plane windscreens, and they say it's also intended for scuba goggles too. It was invented and continues to be made in Utah.

The other (or additional) option is to use vented eyeglasses. This may get pricey, and your selection may not be as diverse as unaltered lenses, but there are some models of Oakley sport sunglasses, for best example, that do offer prescription lenses. The one that comes to mind is the Oakley RadarLock. Fellow umpires rave about the PRIZM sun-lenses, but if you work through a Prescription Eyewear store, you may be able to get lenses, at your prescription settings, with the features of the frames... namely, a slight tint to enhance optical clarity, reduce fatigue and strain, and vented.

Love the idea of a spray. If it works as well as cat crap and can be sprayed on, that's a winning combination. 

[BT_Blue]

9 hours ago, Richvee said:

Love the idea of a spray. If it works as well as cat crap and can be sprayed on, that's a winning combination. 

Cat Crap does do a spray. I found it on Amazon.

[gnhbua93]

@Richvee what is your take on the online prescription glasses retailers?

[Richvee]

1 hour ago, gnhbua93 said:

@Richvee what is your take on the online prescription glasses retailers?

It's a mixed bag. Prices are great. You're not getting the personalized service. There are measurements that need to be taken. Here it gets complicated. Some Rx's, the pupilary distance (PD) or distance between your pupils, is critical and should be measured by a professional. These sites make you take your own PD with a ruler. Not very accurate in today's day and age. Without getting into an optics lesson, for some Rx's PD isn't very important, and being off a few millimeters won't effect vision. There are even more measurements involved in progressive or bifocal lenses and frankly I'm a little skeptical that this can be done accurately by the end user in front of his computer screen. I know there are some companies that will send you the frame, and tell you to go to an optician and and have the measurements taken and then send the frame info back to them. Not sure opticians are all on board about doing this for people. Sort of like the head chef at a fancy restaurant giving out his recipes so you can go home and make his dishes yourself.   

There's always the fitting and adjusting issue that should be done by a professional. Some places will fit and adjust glasses only if you bought them from that retailer, others are more lenient and will adjust them for you.  

Quality varies site to site. 

[Guidry]

Thanks for all of the input. I have tried Cat Crap and it worked for a period of time, but it never lasted a full game for me. I've tried the "anti-fog" wipes that are available but those last about 9 outs max.

@Richvee I absolutely agree with the air circulation idea. That is why I tried the smaller lens size. 

@NavyChiefBlue I really like those frames. They look as though they sit a good way off the face to allow air flow.

 

@MadMax I'm going to check out that product also.

[NavyChiefBlue]

@Guidry Yes, they sit off the face, but they are snug and I don't have a problem with them moving.

[Mudisfun]

I do not wear glasses so just throwing this out... has anyone tried Fog X?

[maineump]

An old hockey trick for visors is use a dish washing soap. Rub it in and let it dry. After it is dry wipe it off. Sort of like waxing your car. It works really well. Just don't use a lot of soap - any extra left on the glasses could make your eyes sting.

[Aging_Arbiter]

what about the old rec specs?  Aren't those designed not to fog?

[Richvee]

29 minutes ago, Aging_Arbiter said:

what about the old rec specs?  Aren't those designed not to fog?

rec specs fog just like regular glasses. Some styles even more because of the wrap, they sit real close to the face.