ISO 18369-3-2017 PDF

Full title and description

St ISO 18369-3-2017 — Ophthalmic optics — Contact lenses — Part 3: Measurement methods. This International Standard specifies procedures and test conditions for measuring the principal physical and optical properties of contact lenses (rigid and soft), and defines the equilibrating and standard saline solutions used for testing.

Abstract

ISO 18369-3:2017 provides standardized measurement methods for the physical and optical parameters of contact lenses referenced in ISO 18369‑2. Key measurements include radius of curvature, labelled back vertex power, overall diameter, centre and edge thickness, inspection for edge quality, inclusions and surface imperfections, and determination of spectral transmittance. The document also specifies the equilibrating solution and the standard saline solution to be used when testing lenses.

General information

• Status: Published (confirmed during periodic review).
• Publication date: 23 August 2017 (corrected version issued autumn 2017; confirmed 26 May 2023).
• Publisher: International Organization for Standardization (ISO).
• ICS / categories: 11.040.70 (Ophthalmic equipment / Ophthalmic optics).
• Edition / version: Edition 2 (2017).
• Number of pages: 40 pages.

Scope

This part of ISO 18369 specifies the methods for measuring the physical and optical properties of contact lenses as defined by ISO 18369-2. It applies to rigid and soft contact lenses and to the associated test liquids used to equilibrate and measure lens properties. The standard defines test arrangements, measurement procedures, required reporting and acceptance of results for the listed properties.

Key topics and requirements

• Measurement of radius of curvature (methods and instruments, reference surfaces).
• Determination of labelled back vertex power (procedures for powered lenses).
• Measurement of overall diameter and specified diameters for lens types.
• Measurement of centre thickness and edge thickness: methods and tolerances.
• Inspection and reporting of edge quality, inclusions and surface imperfections.
• Determination of spectral transmittance (optical transmission across specified wavelengths).
• Specification of equilibrating solution and standard saline solution for testing.
• Requirements for test environment, sample conditioning and test reporting format.

Typical use and users

Used by contact lens manufacturers, quality control and metrology laboratories, conformity assessment bodies, regulatory authorities, and research groups developing or characterizing contact lens products. The standard supports product development, production control, type testing, and regulatory submission documentation.

Related standards

Part of the ISO 18369 series on contact lenses. Closely related documents include ISO 18369-1 (vocabulary, classification and labelling recommendations), ISO 18369-2 (tolerances for optical and physical parameters), and ISO 18369-4 (physicochemical properties of contact lens materials). Earlier editions of Part 3 (2006) were superseded by this 2017 edition.

Keywords

contact lenses; measurement methods; radius of curvature; back vertex power; diameter; thickness; spectral transmittance; equilibrating solution; saline; ophthalmic optics; ISO 18369

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: ISO 18369-3:2017 is the international standard that defines standardized measurement methods for the physical and optical properties of contact lenses and specifies the test solutions used during measurement.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers methods for measuring radius of curvature, labelled back vertex power, diameters, centre and edge thickness, inspection of edges and surface/inclusion defects, and measurement of spectral transmittance, plus specification of equilibrating and standard saline solutions and related test conditions and reporting.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Contact lens manufacturers, test and calibration laboratories, regulatory reviewers, conformity assessment bodies and researchers in ophthalmic optics use this standard to ensure consistent, repeatable measurements and reporting.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: This is the 2017 second edition (published 23 August 2017). It supersedes the 2006 edition and was confirmed in ISO's periodic review in 2023, so the 2017 edition remains the current published version.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: Yes. It is Part 3 of the ISO 18369 series on contact lenses. Other parts include Part 1 (vocabulary, classification and labelling), Part 2 (tolerances) and Part 4 (physicochemical properties of contact lens materials).

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: Contact lenses, measurement methods, physical properties, optical properties, radius of curvature, back vertex power, diameter, thickness, spectral transmittance, equilibrating solution, saline solution, ophthalmic optics.