tech talk

By the Rules

by Karlen McLean, ABOC, NCLC

The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) makes recommendations and regulates prescription eyewear and optical devices. All levels of the eyewear and eyecare industry must adhere to ANSI standards in their particular arena, be it manufacturing, fabrication, or dispensing.

Meeting or exceeding ANSI standards is a promotional point for some spectacle lens companies whose lenses were independently tested on ANSI standard compliance.

For ECPs, knowing the basics of ANSI prescription lens and frame standards helps you assess performance factors and features in depth.

This aids you in making sound buying decisions and judging eyewear characteristics prior to delivery to patients, as well as protecting your patients' eyesight and your business from possible litigation.

For labs, including in-house labs, ANSI standards guide your standards. Every pair of lenses and frames should be evaluated using ANSI standards as part of your quality control checklist.

WHAT'S THE LATEST?

Current ANSI lens and frame standards include the following.

■ Z80.1–2005: American National Standard for Ophthalmics—Recommendations for Prescription Ophthalmic Lenses. The recent 2005 standard replaces Z80.1–1999. Most commonly known as Z80.1, this standard is the processing guideline for all edged or assembled Rx lenses.

The 2005 update includes increased cylinder axis tolerance below 0.75D and an increase of refractive power tolerance from 0.12D to 0.16D.

■ Z80.3–2001: Non-prescription Sunglasses & Fashion Eyewear Requirements. This standard applies to non-prescription sunglasses and fashion eyewear with non-prescription, plano power lenses.

It addresses the flammability of frames and lenses, excluding products covered by ANSI Z87.1.

■ Z80.5–2004: Ophthalmic Frame Requirements. These are the requirements for ophthalmic street-wear frame manufacturing, excluding novelty products. Sports protective and occupational eyewear are covered in ANSI Z-87 and frames for plano sunglasses and fashion eyewear are covered in ANSI Z80.3.

■ Z87.1–2003: Occupational and Educational Eye and Face Protection. This standard is maintained by the American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE). It addresses performance for visual and face protection.

The requirements apply to protective devices when they are first placed into service. Some examples of protective eyewear that's covered under Z87.1–2003: occupational (welding, radiation, etc.), sports, and safety eyewear.

The standard provides minimum requirements, guidelines, and guidance for these protective devices. EB