Prevention of fogging inside safety goggles for healthcare professionals during COVID-19 pandemic: A low-cost solution in resource-limited settings

Abstract

Fogging inside the safety goggles is a common problem experienced by more healthcare professionals during the COVID-19 pandemic than ever. Various anti-fogging remedies are available on the market. We have adopted a low-cost alternative that can be extremely useful in resource-limited settings.

Effectiveness of 2 Pretreatment Methods in Antifogging of Goggles in a COVID-19 Isolation Ward: A Randomized Controlled Trial

“…One study, which interviewed healthcare workers and searched databases, concluded that that using washing-up liquid or hand sanitizer is the most effective method for preventing goggles from fogging [ 12 ]. However, the above findings are empirical attempts [ [9] , [10] , [11] ], and there are no randomized controlled trials on the effectiveness of several pretreatment methods to reduce goggle fogging. Anti-fogging agents and detergents used for swimming goggles may also be effective for medical goggles [ 22 , 23 ].…”

“…However, the above findings are empirical attempts [ [9] , [10] , [11] ], and there are no randomized controlled trials on the effectiveness of several pretreatment methods to reduce goggle fogging. Anti-fogging agents and detergents used for swimming goggles may also be effective for medical goggles [ 22 , 23 ]. However, these anti-fog sprays need to be purchased separately, may be cost prohibitive [ 22 ], and may not be readily available or feasible to purchase in rural or under-resourced settings.…”

“…Anti-fogging agents and detergents used for swimming goggles may also be effective for medical goggles [ 22 , 23 ]. However, these anti-fog sprays need to be purchased separately, may be cost prohibitive [ 22 ], and may not be readily available or feasible to purchase in rural or under-resourced settings. In the hospital/unit of study, anti-fog sprays were not commonly available or in stock and were not easily accessible.…”

“…A total of 90 health care workers were divided into three groups. These were the control group (goggles were coated with distilled water, n = 30), iodophor solution group (goggles were coated with iodophor solution, n = 30), and antibacterial hand sanitizer group (goggles were coated with antibacterial hand sanitizer and distilled water, mixed at a 1:1 ratio, n = 30) [ [9] , [10] , [11] , [12] ].…”

“…Unfortunately, there is a lack of simple and effective solutions to prevent the fogging of goggles. To the best of our knowledge, only a few studies with small samples (n < 10) [ 9 ], short reports [ 10 ], or letters [ 11 , 12 ] have been published to date, and there is a lack of randomized controlled trials comparing the effectiveness of various methods of anti-fogging. Therefore, a randomized controlled trial was designed to innovatively compare the effectiveness of two pretreatment methods in reducing goggle fogging for healthcare workers in isolation wards.…”