Eyewear products regulated by FDA a

Eyewear products regulated by FDA are commonplace in the daily lives of the vast majority of the general public. FDA believes that impact-resistant lenses are an essential component of the safe design of these devices. The use of impact-resistant lenses in eyeglasses and sunglasses is addressed in 21 CFR 801.410. Except in those cases where the physician or optometrist finds that such lenses will not fulfill the visual requirements of the particular patient, directs the use of other lenses in writing, and gives written notification to the patient, eyeglasses and sunglasses must be fitted with impact-resistant lenses (21 CFR 801.410(c)(1)). Glass lenses, plastic lenses, or laminated glass lenses can be made impact resistant by any method. However, in accordance with 21 CFR 801.410(c)(2), all such lenses must be capable of withstanding the impact test described in 21 CFR 801.410(d)(2). Although lenses must be impact resistant, it does not make the lenses shatterproof. The number of lenses actually tested for impact resistance within each batch or lot varies depending on material and type of lens (21 CFR 801.410(c)(3)). You must perform impact testing on each glass lens for prescription use (21 CFR 801.410(c)(3)). However, you may test a statistically significant sample of lenses from each production batch for testing of over-the-counter (OTC) glass lenses, glass laminate (prescription or OTC), and plastic lenses (prescription or OTC) for impact resistance. Certain lenses, which are prescribed infrequently for specific, uncommon visual needs, have physical designs that make them unsuitable for impact testing. These lenses (see 21 CFR 801.410(c)(3) for specific types) should be rendered impact resistant but need not be tested. Consumers, manufacturers, and sellers should remember that the strength of any lens is related to the condition of its surface and edge. All lenses lose their impact strength in direct proportion to the breakdown of the polished and edged surfaces. The greater the number and depth of scratches or the poorer the edge finish, the weaker the lens becomes. For consumers, there is an inherent hazard in continuing to wear scratched lenses because their impact strength is reduced. Spectacle wearers also should be aware that plastic lenses are not necessarily impact resistant simply because they are manufactured of a plastic material. FDA does not regulate other forms of eyewear, such as safety glasses and sports glasses (including swimmers' racing goggles, ski goggles, and racquetball eye guards), as devices unless they have ultraviolet (UV) prescription lenses.