A device for inhibiting condensation distortion on an optical element is provided. The device may include a housing; a chamber within the housing; electrical circuitry in the housing; a plasma activation region configured to retain the optical element in a manner exposing an optical surface to the plasma activation region, wherein the electrical circuitry is configured to form an electrical connection with a first electrode located on the first side of the dielectric barrier; a second electrode located on a second side of the dielectric barrier, opposite the plasma activation region; and at least one processor configured to: control electricity flow through the circuitry to cause an electric field associated with a voltage drop between the first electrode and a second electrode to generate plasma within the plasma-activation region; and maintain the generated plasma for a time period sufficient to cause the optical surface to become hydrophilic.