The Vision Council Announces Eight ANSI ASC Z80 Standards Revised or Reaffirmed

Alexandria, VA (February 22, 2018) – The Vision Council, as Secretariat for ANSI ASC Z80, has announced eight Z80 standards that were either revised or reaffirmed in 2017. ASC Z80 is the only entity accredited by ANSI to develop national standards in the ophthalmic optics field. Through its administrator role, The Vision Council demonstrates its dedication to the development of national and international standards that directly affect our industry.

"The standards revised or reaffirmed in 2017 have implications for many segments of the optical industry," said Michael C. Vitale, ABOM, The Vision Council Senior Technical Director & Lens Division Liaison. "From Slit Lamps to Over the Counter Readers to Information Interchange for Optical Equipment, nearly every professional role will be affected and should take note."

The standards revised in 2017 include:

Z80.31-2017: Specifications for Ready-to-Wear Near-Vision Spectacles
The revision expands the applicability of this standard to readers with segments and power-variation readers, such as those with progressive-power lenses, as well as readers with tints and those with plano power portions. Refractive and prismatic power properties will need to comply with requirements in ANSI Z80.1 and Z80.3, and transmittance properties will need to comply with requirements in ANSI Z80.3, as applicable. Additionally, the procedure for assessment of frame flammability now includes requirements for frame durability, such as corrosion, material safety, and deformation.

Z80.37-2017: Ophthalmics – Slit-Lamp Microscopes
This standard was developed after changes made to ISO 15504-2: light hazard protection, resulted in recommendations for levels of radiant exposure for retinal photochemical hazard that were unacceptable to the U.S. delegation to the ISO. Since ISO 10936-2: light hazard from operation microscopes used in ocular surgery, refers to ISO 15004-2 for radiation levels, it was decided that an American National Standard for slit-lamp microscopes was needed.

Z80.38-2017: Light Hazard from Operation Microscopes Used in Ocular Surgery
This standard was developed when changes made to ISO 15504-2: light hazard protection, resulted in recommendations for levels of radiant exposure for retinal photochemical hazard that were unacceptable to the US delegation to the ISO. Since ISO 10936-2: light hazard from operation microscopes used in ocular surgery, refers to ISO 15004-2 for radiation levels, it was decided that an American National Standard was needed.

Z80.28-2017: Methods of Reporting Optical Aberrations of Eyes
The major change made in this edition of the standard is a clarification of 5.2 that 1) changes the term "wavefront gradient fields" to "wavefront ray deflection", and 2) places the emphasis of the clause of describing the direction of propagation of rays that are the normal to the wavefront error surface being measured.

The standards reaffirmed in 2017, without adjustments, include:

About The Vision Council

Championing better vision for better lives, The Vision Council positions its members for success by promoting growth in the vision care industry through education, advocacy, research, consumer outreach, strategic relationship building and industry forums. By sharing the latest in eyewear trends, advances in technology and advice from eyewear experts, The Vision Council serves as a resource to the public looking to learn more about options in eyeglasses and sunglasses.