The Vision Council announced the publication of the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) Z80.1–2025, Prescription Ophthalmic Lenses – Recommendations. This revised technical standard aims to align prescription lens recommendations with current manufacturing practices and technologies. It supersedes the 2020 edition of the published standards and is available for purchase through the ANSI webstore.
Accredited Standards Committee (ASC) Z80 oversees standards covering prescription and non-prescription eyewear, contact lenses, ophthalmic instruments, and medical devices, including intraocular lenses and laser systems.
Key Updates in the Revision
According to an announcement from The Vision Council, the revised Z80.1 standard includes multiple technical updates and clarifications. These include:
- Refined guidance on lens verification points
- Expanded descriptions of localized power errors
- Updated tolerances related to claims for transmittance attenuation of visible wavelengths.
- New tolerances for prescribed prism
- A fully updated Optical and Mechanical Tolerances summary table.
Industry Collaboration
The update reflects 5 years of work by ASC Z80. The Vision Council serves as the Secretariat Administrator for ASC Z80, the only committee accredited by ANSI to develop national standards in the ophthalmic optics field. As a leading voice in developing and refining standards for ophthalmic optics, The Vision Council works with U.S. and international agencies to ensure its members are positioned properly in the industry and that products serve public needs.
Development of ANSI Z80.1–2025 involved a broad group of industry experts. Committee leadership included Chair Dick Whitney, Vice Chair Rick Tinson, and Secretary Karl Citek, OD, PhD, representing the American Optometric Association, with Michael Vitale, ABOM, of The Vision Council serving as secretariat.
Additional New Standards and Guidance
The announcement follows other recent standards activity in eyewear, including new eye and face protection guidance. The updated ANSI/ISEA Z87.1‑2025 standard outlines new and refined criteria for testing, selection, care, and more related to eye and face protectors. These guidelines help prevent on‑the‑job injuries from hazards.