Canadian optical standards

[Optician1960]

A sub topic came up in a conversation the other day that suggested Canada may be looking into revised eye wear quality standards. Does anyone have information to confirm this?

[Chris Ryser]

As far as I know there is no such thing. Canadian labs have always worked according to ANSI standards with some European influence on special items.

[Refractingoptician.com]

As far as I know there is no such thing. Canadian labs have always worked according to ANSI standards with some European influence on special items.

We don't have standards that are enforceable here, anyone can open a retail store and dispense eyeglasses and write RX's . For further info contact www.coptont.org and ask how they would stop you if you did not roll over and play dead for them .

[eyemanflying]

We don't have standards that are enforceable here, anyone can open a retail store and dispense eyeglasses and write RX's . For further info contact www.coptont.org and ask how they would stop you if you did not roll over and play dead for them .

Lets not turn this into another College of Opticians debate and rehash what they haven't done.

Most labs follow the published policy or standards in their respective province from either the OD or OPT Colleges.

[kitspoint]

Most Canadian Colleges (Regulators) use either the full or variations of ANSI Standards. NACOR use a Tolerance chart in the Ocular Sciences Examinations which is loosely related to ANSI. It's purpose is to test whether applicants can relate verification to tolerances of whatever source. It is not an industry standard.

ANSI and CSA Standards are only available at significant cost. Consequently most regulators publish a simplified version as part of the Standards of Practice. To my knowledge there is no new direction for a Canadian Standard of Tolerances.

The following is from Canadian Safety Association.
Note: CAN/CSA-Z94.3 requires that prescription safety eyewear be fitted by a qualified professional (e.g., a licensed ophthalmic practitioner).
The first choice in preventing eye injuries is to design work procedures and equipment so that workers are not exposed to eye hazards. However, the total elimination of eye hazards from the workplace is often not possible, and other measures must be taken to control residual hazards so that they do not result in injuries to workers and others in the work zone. One such control measure is the wearing of personal protective equipment (such as protective eyewear). It is well recognized that the majority of eye injuries can be prevented by wearing appropriate protective eyewear and following basic safety rules.

Any well-designed eye and face protection program should be part of an effective occupational health and safety management system. Specifications for such a management system can be found in CAN/CSA-Z1000, Occupational Health and Safety Management. This Standard is based on the Plan-Do-Check-Act model of safety management, and it lays out the basis for proper management of personal protective equipment as a necessary strategy for injury and illness prevention.

[eyemanflying]

I misunderstood the original post as tolerances. My bad.

Unlike our neighbours to the South that mandatorily follow ANSI, there are no dress eyewear quality standards in Canada.

CSA Z94.3-07 Eye and Face Protectors only applies to prescription safety eyewear, but I'm sure could easily be adapted to blanket dresswear.

ANSI in the U.S. indicates all dress lenses must meet impact resistance, so most lens manufacturers have to apply a cushion coat on their thin brittle hi index lenses to comply (and pass).