Q. Muddy Legal Waters
Have there been any changes in the ANSI Z-87 standards that might affect lens thickness issues in the state of California?

A.
You are undoubtedly referring to California's minimum requirement of 2.2mm thickness for all glass lenses. From a legal standpoint, there is sometimes an impression that Corning's new glass lenses, which were designed for surfacing to 1.5mm thickness, cannot be legally dispensed in California. This is not an ANSI issue.

The problem dates back to the early '70s when the state of California passed a law stating that ANSI standards "currently in effect" would govern lens thickness. When the thickness requirement was later amended to the more sensible "performance" requirement (lenses can be processed to any thickness, as long as they pass the drop ball test), the state of California filed for an exemption to that FDA requirement. The Federal Government, in 1979-80, issued a ruling denying California an exemption to the FDA thickness requirement.

A key factor in the establishment of a Federal Food and Drug Administration was to have Federal standards that superceded all state standards. Letting each state set its own requirements regarding medicines and medical devices (eyeglasses) would result in chaos. California's choice of the words "currently in effect" was also ambiguous. Did the legislators mean the ANSI standards currently in effect at the time the bill was signed into law, or did they mean the ANSI standards in effect any time after the bill was passed? It was a situation only lawyers could appreciate.

Currently, since California did request an exemption to the FDA thickness regulation and was formally denied that exemption, doctors and dispensers in California can never be successfully prosecuted for dispensing glass lenses that comply with current FDA requirements, such as Clears� and Thin & Dark� lenses.

Q. Proving Quality?
We are located in an area where there are many companies advertising what they claim is "quality eyewear," all at very low prices. We have always taken great pride in using only ABO-qualified opticians who dispense only top-quality materials from the best labs in the area. We feel we need some way to differentiate the quality work we routinely provide our patients from what is sold in these price-advertising stores.--Norm Vallee, Gentex Optics

A.
Some readers may be familiar with the famous "Good Housekeeping Seal of Approval" that was attached to products that had undergone extensive testing by Good Housekeeping magazine. The program provided a way for an advertiser to define and prove the quality of his goods and was popular for years. The good news is that a similar service recently became available for the optical industry.

It was developed to answer concerns about stories appearing on news programs in which the networks sent out shoppers to purchase eyeglasses, which were then tested to national industry and ANSI standards. There have been nine television programs on this subject in the past year, as well as routine stories on eyewear in Consumer Reports. The newly developed optical program sends out secret shoppers to visit each participating office twice (or more) each year. They purchase eyeglasses, which are then sent with the prescription to a national testing lab for careful analysis.

The shopper's report also investigates how patients are greeted, the selections available, speed of service, and fit and comfort of the final glasses. If the office meets certain quality standards, they receive an award that can be displayed in the office and featured in office publications or advertising. This quality assurance service is offered by Colts Laboratories.

For additional information, check its Web site at [archive_results]?loc=archive/archive_results.asp?loc=archive/refresh/coltslab.htm" target="new"> www.colts-laboratories.com or call the company at 727-725-2323.

Q. Polycarbonate for Children
Our primary vendor for polycarbonate stock lenses in 2.2mm thickness informed us they no longer produce this thickness in stock lenses. We have a customer who orders all children's lenses in 2.2mm polycarbonate. What are the appropriate rules for children's eyewear?--Evelyn Kelly, John S. Milam Optical, Nashville

A.
Even children's eyewear made with super-thin 1.0mm center thickness polycarbonate will safely pass all Federal FDA drop ball requirements. Super-thin poly lenses are primarily used for cosmetic reasons, and this is seldom a concern with children. Consequently, standard thickness poly (1.5mm centers) has become the lens of choice for children. It adds a margin of safety that should please any parent.

The thicker 2.2mm stock lenses offered a viable choice for children's eyewear, but are no longer available. You might consider the reason thicker 2.2mm lenses were discontinued: they simply became superfluous because standard thickness 1.5 polycarbonate provided more than adequate protection for children's eyewear. Labs can still surface children's lenses to 2.2mm, but doing that slows delivery without contributing any meaningful added protection. EB

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