Overview
ISO 14889:2013 - "Ophthalmic optics - Spectacle lenses - Fundamental requirements for uncut finished lenses" defines the core safety, performance and identification requirements for uncut finished spectacle lenses (non-protective). The standard sets fundamental criteria that take precedence over corresponding requirements in other standards when differences exist. It is intended as a baseline for manufacturers, specifiers and conformity assessors in ophthalmic optics.
Key Topics
- Scope and precedence
- Applies to uncut finished spectacle lenses; not applicable to protective spectacle lenses.
- Declares precedence over corresponding requirements in other standards if conflicts occur.
- Performance and design
- Lenses must reduce overall risk during intended use and be compatible with state‑of‑the‑art materials and design.
- Materials and physiological compatibility
- Materials shall not be known to cause allergic or toxic reactions for a significant proportion of wearers.
- Inflammability
- Test procedure uses a heated steel rod (≈650 ±20 °C) applied to the lens surface for at least 5 s; there must be no continued combustion after rod removal.
- Mechanical strength (minimum robustness)
- Quasi‑static load test: application of a 22 mm steel ball producing (100 ±2) N force, maintained for (10 ±2) s after conditioning at (23 ±5) °C.
- Acceptance criteria: no fracture (splitting through thickness or >5 mg detached) and no deformation (no visible mark on white paper under the lens).
- Transmittance requirements
- Conformance to transmittance specifications and test methods referenced in ISO 8980-3, including additional requirements for lenses intended for road use and driving (spectral transmittance, daylight/night use, visual attenuation for signal recognition).
- Identification and information
- Mandatory information on lens packaging or accompanying documents: dioptric power, nominal size, colour, coatings, manufacturer/supplier name, material or refractive index, and "as‑worn" corrected power where applicable.
- Additional data required for multifocal and progressive lenses (addition power, segment dimensions, right/left designation, etc.) and information available on request (thickness, Abbe number, density).
Applications
- Useful for: spectacle lens manufacturers, suppliers, quality managers, test laboratories, optometrists, ophthalmic dispensers, and regulatory bodies.
- Practical uses:
- Establishing manufacturing and inspection criteria for uncut finished lenses.
- Defining test methods for product certification and supplier compliance.
- Supporting product labeling and technical documentation required by distributors and labs.
- Ensuring safety and optical performance for everyday eyewear and lenses intended for road use.
Related Standards
- ISO 8980-1 / -2 / -3 / -4 (Uncut finished spectacle lenses: specifications and test methods)
- ISO 13666 (Vocabulary)
- ISO 21987 (Mounted spectacle lenses)
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