Fungus on Lenses

Fungus means an Infestation of optical instruments with fungus spores which germinate and produce more spores. Lens surfaces are irreparably damaged by metabolic products of the fungus (e.g. acids). Its damage ranges from cloudiness to opacity caused by the film. The ZEISS T* coating has no significant influence on fungus growth or generation of spores.

Where does fungus come from?

Fungus spores are everywhere and germinate under suitable environmental conditions:

• Growing conditions
• Relative humidity of at least 70% (more than 3 days)
• No or little airflow
• Darkness
• Nutrients (textile lint, traces of grease, varnish, dust and dirt)
• Temperatures between 10 and 35°C

How can fungus be avoided?

Reduce the relative humidity to less than 60% (never under 30% as it is dangerous for the instrument) by storing:

• in climate-control cabinets in which hygrometers maintain environmental conditions
• next to driers (e.g. silicagel orange packs) in the containers
• in a special cabinet whose interior is heated to 40°C (max. 50°C) using a fan heater/ incandescent lamps, thereby reducing the relative humidity
• in hermetically sealed cabinets with fungicides with high vapor pressure (fungicide depot must be replaced at regular intervals)
• in an dehydrator above driers

After the work is done, Immediately clean the instruments. If possible, you can use a fan to facilitate evaporation of surface moisture. Do not use containers made of leather, textiles or wood for storage. Short solar radiation or irradiation with UV light may also help avoiding fungus.