Manufacturers of Impact-Resistant Lenses Put on FDA Alert List

The Food & Drug Administration has added two lens exporters to its list of companies failing to comply with FDA regulations: Jiangxi Look Optical Industrial Co., Ltd., and Koadak Optical Ind. Com., Ltd. Here's the FDA's reason: "Eyeglasses and sunglasses imported into the United States are required to comply with 21 CFR 801.410, "Use of impact-resistant lenses in eyeglasses and sunglasses". A certificate to comply with 21 CFR 801.410(g) must accompany each entry of eyeglasses and sunglasses showing the lens manufacturer has conducted tests of the lenses using the impact test described in paragraph (d)(2) of 21 CFR 801.410 or any equal or superior test. It has been reported that certificates from foreign manufacturers may not be valid. Tests by one U.S. distributor revealed 40-70% breakage which differed significantly from the manufacturer's certificate. Due to apparent certificate irregularities SAN-DO collected a sample of children's sunglasses. The manufacturer's certificate indicated that no lenses broke during testing. However, WEAC testing of the sample found that nearly every lens broke completely. More recently, SAN-DO collected a sample of adult prescription lenses. WEAC testing of the sample found that 38% of the lenses broke completely." Read more.