ASC Z80 Fall Meeting Strengthens Collaboration in Advancing Optical Standards
Alexandria, VA – November 10, 2025 – Last month, professionals throughout the optical community convened in Clearwater, Florida, for the Accredited Standards Committee for Ophthalmic Optics, ASC Z80 fall meeting. The Vision Council, leading trade association for the optical industry, has served as the Secretariat for ASC Z80 since 2011, marking over a decade of commitment to the creation, administration, and advancement of national standards that are developed by the committee.
“Standards development is a cornerstone of progress in ophthalmic optics,” said Michael Vitale, Vice President of Membership, Government Relations & Technical Affairs at The Vision Council. “The ASC Z80 meetings bring together experts from across the optical sector to ensure that the standards guiding product quality, safety, and performance evolve in step with innovations and consumer needs.”
Highlights from the Meeting
A reception was held to commemorate the retirement of Richard Whitney and Ralph Stone, two members who have spent more than 30 years contributing to standards development.
Subcommittees within ASC Z80 also provided key updates on ongoing and upcoming standards work:
- SC1 – Prescription Spectacle Lenses discussed the upcoming release of Z80.1.
- SC2 – Non-Prescription Eyewear reviewed the upcoming release of Z80.3, revisions to Z80.31, and ongoing work on ISO 16034.
- SC3 – Frames continued efforts to revise ISO 12870 and review ISO 7998, including discussions on updating the ANSI/ISO 7998 / 8624 / 12870 Optics Set.
- SC4 – Medical Ophthalmic Devices advanced revisions for Z80.29, Z80.30, Z80.35, and Z80.39.
- SC6 – Ophthalmic Instruments and Low Vision Devices continued revision work on Z80.36 and Z80.28, while reviewing progress across related Z80 and ISO standards.
- SC7 – Contact Lenses progressed revisions for Z80.18 and Z80.20, alongside updates to multiple ISO contact lens standards.
Resources for the Industry
For more information about ASC Z80 and its work in advancing ophthalmic standards, visit the ASC Z80 website.
Members of The Vision Council have exclusive access to a variety of industry standards and technical documents, available here.