Overview
ISO 13666:2019 provides a standardized vocabulary for ophthalmic optics, focused on spectacle lenses used in blanks, finished lenses and fitting applications. The standard collects and defines terms that ensure consistent communication across the manufacturing, dispensing, testing and regulatory chain. It clarifies language for optical concepts such as dioptric properties, prismatic power, transmittance, and coatings, while directing users to other standards for fabrication processes and material defects (see Related Standards).
Key Topics
The document is organized into a comprehensive set of term groups that reflect practical lens engineering and dispensing needs. Major topic areas include:
- Basic optics: terms for optical radiation, visible, ultraviolet and infrared ranges, refractive index and chromatic dispersion.
- Lenses and dispensing: vocabulary for blanks, finished lens, fitting, optical axis, vertex and design/reference points used during verification and dispensing.
- Lens materials and surfaces: descriptors used for material characterization and surface definitions, including coating-related terms.
- Classification and types: terms for single-vision, multifocal, power-variation and lenticular lenses and associated descriptive language.
- Measurement terms: definitions related to measurement of dioptric properties, focal and prismatic properties, verification power and spectacle magnification.
- Optical performance: transmittance, reflectance, polarization, spectral weighting and terms concerning coating properties and infrared/ultraviolet transmittance.
Each term is presented with a clear definition and, where appropriate, notes to entry that guide interpretation in practice. The vocabulary emphasizes terms used in manufacturing specifications, quality verification and clinical dispensing.
Applications
ISO 13666:2019 is practical for professionals who need consistent terminology across the eyewear lifecycle:
- Manufacturers: to align product specifications, design reference points and documentation.
- Laboratories and test houses: to standardize reporting of dioptric, focal and prismatic measurements and transmittance data.
- Dispensing opticians and clinicians: to ensure accurate communication about fitting, reference points and verification power when ordering and adjusting lenses.
- Regulators and procurement teams: to reference clear definitions in standards-based procurement, compliance assessment and technical documentation.
Using this vocabulary reduces misinterpretation between stakeholders, improves traceability of lens specifications and supports harmonized technical documentation.
Related Standards
- ISO 9802 - Terms for fabrication processes, materials and defects (referenced for aspects outside ISO 13666 scope).
- ISO 7944 - Wavelengths and optical characterization used in measurement definitions.
- ISO 20473 - Spectral ranges for visible and ultraviolet radiation mentioned in definitions.
Consult these referenced standards alongside ISO 13666:2019 when dealing with material processing, surface treatment, defects or detailed measurement protocols.
