ASTM F803-19

This document is not an ASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of an ASTM standard an indication of what changes have been made to the previous version. Because
it may not be technically possible to adequately depict all changes accurately, ASTM recommends that users consult prior editions as appropriate. In all cases only the current version
of the standard as published by ASTM is to be considered the official document.
Designation: F803 − 14 F803 − 19 An American National Standard
Standard Specification for
Eye Protectors for Selected Sports
This standard is issued under the fixed designation F803; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of original
adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A superscript
epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope
1.1 This specification covers eye protectors, designed for use by players of racket sports, women’s lacrosse, field hockey,
basketball, baseball, and soccer thatto minimize or significantly reduce injury to the eye and adnexa due to impact and penetration
by racket-sport rackets and balls, women’s lacrosse and field hockey sticks and balls, baseballs, baseballs and softballs, basketballs,
soccer balls, hands, elbows, and fingers. Protective eyewear offers protection only to the eyes and adnexa and does not protect other
parts of the head.
1.2 Protectors are divided into three types depending on their design characteristics.
1.3 This specification applies to eye protectors for use by wearers of corrective lenses and also by those players who do not
require prescription eyewear. (Warning—Polycarbonate or Trivex spectacle lenses should be used if spectacles are worn under
protective eyewear.)
1.4 In this standard, the use of the words “shall” or “must” indicates a mandatory requirement. The word “should” indicates a
recommendation.
1.5 Failure of the product occurs when the protector is unable to meet the general, mechanical, and optical (if applicable)
requirements of the standard.
1.6 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard. The values given in parentheses are for information only.
Metric units of measurement in this specification are in accordance with the International System of Units (SI). If a value for
measurement as given in this specification is followed by an equivalent value in other units, the first stated is to be regarded as
the requirement. A given equivalent value may be approximate.
1.7 The following precautionary caveat pertains only to the test methods portions, Sections 9 – 11, of this specification: This
standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user
of this standard to establish appropriate safety safety, health, and healthenvironmental practices and determine the applicability
of regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.8 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization
established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued
by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
2. Referenced Documents
2.1 ASTM Standards:
D1003 Test Method for Haze and Luminous Transmittance of Transparent Plastics
F1776 Specification for Eye Protective Devices for Paintball Sports
2.2 American National Standards:
ANSI Z80.1 Requirements for First-Quality Prescription Ophthalmic Lenses
ANSI Z80.3 Requirements for Nonprescription Sunglasses and Fashion Eyewear
ANSI Z87.1 Practice for Occupational and Educational Eye and Face Protectors
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee F08 on Sports Equipment, Playing Surfaces, and Facilities and is the direct responsibility of
Subcommittee F08.57 on Eye Safety for Sports.
Current edition approved June 1, 2014Oct. 1, 2019. Published September 2014October 2019. Originally approved in 1983. Last previous edition approved in 20112014
as F803 – 11.F803 – 14. DOI: 10.1520/F0803-14.10.1520/F0803-19.
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM Standards
volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
Available from American National Standards Institute (ANSI), 25 W. 43rd St., 4th Floor, New York, NY 10036.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
F803 − 19
2.3 Federal Standard:
National Institute of Standards and Technology Special Technical Publication 374 Method for Determining the Resolving Power
of Photographic Lenses (1973)
2.4 Canadian National Standard:
CAN/CSA-Z262.6 Specifications for facially featured headforms
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
3.1.1 binocular, adj—relating to the field of view which is shared by both eyes simultaneously; also any simultaneous activity
of the two eyes.
3.1.2 central viewing zone, n—that part of the eye of a protector, which has its center in line with the wearer’s normal line of
sight. The zone is circular in shape, and 40 mm in diameter. The center of the central viewing zone shall be the point of intersection
of the line of sight with the lens as mounted on the CSA headform.
3.1.3 cleanable, n—the ability of a protective device to be made readily free of dirt or grime without being damaged during an
appropriate cleaning process, such as the use of soap and water.
3.1.4 coverage, n—a characteristic of a protective device that obstructs straight line paths that are coincident with the wearer’s
eyes.
3.1.5 definition (optical), n—the characteristic of a lens that allows separate distinct points in close proximity to be discerned
when looking through the lens.
3.1.6 eye, n—relating to the eye of a test headform or the eye of a person wearing a protector or that part of an eye protective
device through which a wearer’s eye would normally look.
3.1.7 eye of the headform, n—all structures contained within the orbital rim of the CSA headform.
3.1.8 fracture, n—separation, as a result of impact, of any part of a protector resulting either in two completely separate pieces
or the separation of a protector or part of a protector, intended as a continuous single piece.
3.1.9 haze, n—the fraction of the total transmitted light from a normally incident beam which is not transmitted in a focused
condition but scattered by inclusions or surface defects. Excessive haze will reduce contrast and visibility.
3.1.10 impact resistance, n—the ability of a device to afford protection from impact as required by this specification.
3.1.11 lens, n—when so equipped, the transparent part or parts of a protective device through which the wearer normally sees.
3.1.12 luminous transmittance, n—luminous transmittance is a function of the spectral transmittance of the lens weighted by the
corresponding ordinates of the photopic luminous efficiency distribution of the CIE (1931) standard colorimetric observer and by
the spectral intensity of standard Illuminant C. (See ANSI Z80.3, 1986, Paragraph 3.9.1.)
3.1.13 normal lines of sight, n—straight ahead horizontal lines that intersect the center of the eyes of the appropriate headform.
3.1.14 penetration resistance, n—the ability of a device to afford protection from moving objects as required by this
specification.
3.1.15 permanent, adj—marked so as not to become unidentifiable with normal usage.
3.1.16 power imbalance, adj—relates to the condition in which the refractive power of the lens or lenses of a protector is
different as presented to the two eyes.
3.1.17 prism, n—a prism bends a beam of light as a result of the lack of parallelism of the two surfaces of a lens through which
the beam of light traverses. The amount of bending is a function of the curvatures, thickness, index of refraction of the material
and the angle of approach of the line of sight to the optical surface. In this specification, prism refers to the amount of bending
that is imposed upon the line of sight of a wearer of an eye protector for the specified viewing position. Prism is expressed in
diopters. The deviation of the line of sight by 1 cm/m is one prism diopter.
3.1.17.1 base-in, n—relating to the type of prism imbalance that tends to cause parallel rays of light passing through a protector,
spaced apart by the interpupillary distance, to converge.
3.1.17.2 base-out, n—relating to the type of prism imbalance that tends to cause parallel rays of light passing through a
protector, spaced apart by the interpupillary distance, to diverge.
3.1.17.3 base-up—refers to the type of prism that causes a horizontal beam of light to bend upward causing objects to appear
lower than their true position.
3.1.17.4 base-down—refers to the type of prism that causes a horizontal beam of light to bend down causing objects to appear
higher than their true position.
Available from National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), 100 Bureau Dr., Stop 3460, Gaithersburg, MD 20899-3460.
Available from Canadian Standards Association (CSA), 5060 Spectrum Way, Mississauga, ON L4W 5N6, Canada, http://www.csa.ca.
Available from Canadian Standards Association (CSA), 178 Rexdale Blvd., Toronto, ON Canada M9W1R3.
F803 − 19
3.1.18 prism imbalance:
3.1.18.1 horizontal imbalance—the difference in prismatic deviation of incident parallel light beams on the two eyes of a
protective device in the horizontal meridian. (See base-in and base-out).
3.1.18.2 vertical imbalance—the difference in prismatic deviation between parallel light beams incident on the two eyes of a
protective device in the vertical meridian.
3.1.19 protective device (or protector), n—a device that provides protection to the wearer’s eye against specific hazards
encountered in sports.
3.1.20 refractive power, n—the focusing effect of a lens expressed in diopters.
3.1.20.1 astigmatism, n—a condition in a lens that creates two axially separated line foci of each object point, the lines being
mutually perpendicular. In other words, the lens has two different refractive powers in meridians that are 90° apart.
3.1.21 scotoma, n—a blind or partially blind area within the visual field.
3.1.22 spherical power, n—the average of the maximum meridional astigmatic power and the minimum meridional astigmatic
power of a lens.
4. Classification
4.1 Eye protectors are classified into the following types:
4.1.1 Type I—A protector with the lens or lenses and frame frontpiece molded as one unit. Frame temples or other devices, such
as straps, to affix the lens/frontpiece may be separate pieces.
4.1.2 Type II—A protector with a single lens or lenses, either plano or prescription, mounted in a frame that was manufactured
as a separate unit.
4.1.3 Type III—A protector without a lens.
4.1.4 Type IV—A full or partial face shield.
5. General Requirements
5.1 Materials of Construction:
5.1.1 The manufacturer’s choice of material shall be in accordance with 5.1.2 and 5.1.3.
5.1.2 Materials coming into contact with the wearer’s face shall not be of a type known to cause skin irritation.
5.1.3 Materials coming into contact with the wearer’s face, except replaceable padding, shall not undergo significant loss of
strength or flexibility, or other physical change as a result of perspiration, oil, or grease from the wearer’s skin and hair.
5.1.3.1 Manufacturer will provide material selection by an affidavit submitted to the test agency which supports sections 5.1.1
– 5.1.3.
5.1.4 Cleanability—Protective devices shall be capable of being cleaned to the degree that when conditioned in accordance with
the method described in 10.1, they shall remain functional in all ways.
5.2 Finishes and Construction—The protector shall be constructed in a manner to prevent the missile or components of the
protector from contact with the eye of the headform when tested in accordance with Section 11.
5.3 Straps are not required on eye protectors, provided the protector passes the standard without straps.
6. Performance Requirements
6.1 Optical Requirements—Type I and II Protectors:
NOTE 1—Type IV protectors, full or partial face shields, shall conform to the optical requirements of Specification F1776.
6.1.1 Refractive Tolerances—When tested in accordance with 9.7, the spherical power shall be in the range of +0.06 diopters
to −0.18 diopters.
6.1.2 Astigmatism—When tested in accordance with 9.6, the astigmatism shall not exceed 0.12 diopter.
6.1.3 Power Imbalance—When tested in accordance with 9.6, the power imbalance in corresponding meridians shall not exceed
0.18 diopters between the two eyes for straight-ahead seeing.
6.1.4 Prism—For the primary viewing position of either eye of a shield or pair of lenses, the prism deviation shall not exceed
0.50 prism diopters when tested in accordance with 9.4.
6.1.5 Prism Imbalance:
6.1.5.1 Vertical and Base-In—0.25 prism diopters.
6.1.5.2 Base-Out—0.50 prism diopters.
6.1.6 Luminous Transmittance—When tested in accordance with 9.3, protectors shall have a luminous transmittance of not less
than 85 % for a clear device and not less than 20 % for tinted devices. Additionally, the difference in values as would be viewed
by the two eyes through a single protector as worn shall not exceed 0.9 to 1.1 times the other value (measured at the design line
of sight) unless specifically prescribed by an ophthalmic professional.
6.1.7 Ultraviolet Transmittance—When tested in accordance with 9.3, protectors shall meet the UV A and UV B requirements
set forth in ANSI Z80.3.
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6.1.8 Haze—When tested in accordance with 9.5, the haze in the protector shall not exceed 3 %.
6.1.9 Lenses that exhibit any distortion or doubling of the image during the test for refractive power or prism shall be further
tested in accordance with 9.2.
6.1.10 Optical Quality—Within the central viewing zone, striae warpage, surface ripples, lenticulations, or abrupt optical
changes that are visible under the test conditions of 9.2 and that would impair the function of the lens shall be cause for rejection.
Visual impairment is defined by the scanning and focimeter test of 9.2.
6.1.11 Surface and Internal Defects—Pits, scratches, bubbles, grayness, specks, cracks, and water marks that are visible under
the test conditions of 9.7 and that would impair the function of the lens shall be a cause for rejection. Grayness should be evaluated
by the requirements of 6.1.6.
6.2 Mechanical Requirements:
6.2.1 No contact with the eye of the headform shall be permitted when tested in accordance with Section 11.
6.2.2 When tested in accordance with Section 11, displaced fragments or complete fracture of the frame or lenses constitutes
a failure.
6.2.3 When tested in accordance with Section 11, any displacement of the lens from the frame constitutes a failure.
6.2.4 A protector that is dislodged from the test headform when tested in accordance with Section 11 shall not constitute a
failure, provided all of the above mechanical requirements are met.
6.3 Requirements for Frames to be Fitted with Rx (corrective) Lenses.:Lenses:
6.3.1 Frames intended to be used for prescription lenses shall be tested to the requirements of 6.2 with plano, highest plus sphere
power and lowest minus sphere power as desired to be qualified by the manufacturer. Each lens material(s)/manufacturer(s),
surface treatment (for example, coating) and finishing process as desired to be qualified for laboratory finishing. If all test lenses
pass, than any prescription lens of the same of greater thickness at it thinnest point within the prescription range tested and qualified
which is made of the same material(s)/manufacturer(s), with the same surface treatment (coatings) and finishing processes may be
approved for use with that frame.
6.3.2 Optical Finishing laboratories shall only fit lenses into protector frames within the highest plus and lowest minus sphere
power as qualified for the frame in accord with the minimum thickness, material(s), manufacturer(s) and surface treatment(s) which
were qualified and approved for use with the protector (frame) in accordance with lenses glazed into frames shall be within the
demonstrated diopter which the frame was qualified for.
6.3.3 Finished (glazed) lenses shall comply with current requirements as set forth in ANSI Z80.1.
7. Sample Preparation
7.1 Only new and complete eye protectors as offered for retail sale shall be tested.
7.2 Protectors shall be conditioned and tested at 23 6 2°C and 50 6 5 % relative humidity for a minimum period of 4 h prior
to the test.
8. Product Marking
8.1 All eye protectors shall bear the following permanent markings (Type II protectors with plano lenses must be labeled on
both frame and lens. Type II protectors with Rx lenses shall be provided with documentation consisting of: copy of the Rx, lens
material type, and dispensing or finishing laboratory, or both, name and address):
8.1.1 Manufacturer’s identity,
8.1.2 Eye protector model identity, and
8.2 A label or tag bearing the following information shall be securely attached to, or accompany, each eye protector at time of
sale:
8.2.1 Month and year of manufacture.
8.2.2 Clear and prominent markings providing sizing guidance—that is, gender, age, or size (small, medium, large), or a
combination thereof.
8.2.3 A warning stating which cleaning and antifog agents may be used with eye protectors incorporating clear plastic shields
and further stating that the lenses should be replaced when scratches become troublesome, or if cracks appear at the edges;
8.2.4 A warning stating that if the eye protector is severely impacted then the degree of protection provided may be reduced
and the eye protector must be replaced. Failure to do so may result in permanent injuries to the eye; and
8.2.5 A warning stating that if a lens pops out due to impact during play, the wearer should stop playing and have the protector
replaced.
8.2.6 A warning statement that if the eye protector is stored at cold temperatures it should be allowed to return to room
temperature before use.
8.2.7 A clear statement shall define the sports for which the protector is designed. (For example, this eye protector has been
tested and is in compliance with Specification F803 (for stipulate sports).)
8.2.8 For products designed for baseball or women’s lacrosse, or both, the speed and age bracket which the protector satisfies
compliance guidelines.
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8.2.9 Frames intended to be fitted with Rx (corrective) lenses shall be provided (by the frame manufacturer) with instructions
to the optical finishing laboratory which specify (at minimum): minimum kens thickness, the highest plus and lowest minus sphere
power range, detailed specifications on the required bevel design or mounting technique, approved lens material(s)/manufacturer(s)
and associated surface treatments and finishing processes allowable to be used with the frame.
TEST METHODS
9. Optical Tests
9.1 Field of View (Angle of Vision):
9.1.1 Purpose—Field of view requirements are not required. Any sighting method may be used to determine the unobstructed
angle visually available to the user. Alternate test methods are included in Appendix X2 and Appendix X3.
9.2 Optical Quality—Localized power errors or aberrations that are detected by the visual inspection procedure of 9.2.1 are
permissible if no measurable or gross focimeter or telescope target distortion or blur is found when the localized area is examined
with an instrument as indicated in 9.2.2.
9.2.1 Inspection Procedure—One method of optical inspection is to view a high-contrast grid pattern of dark and white lines
through the lens, scanning it area by area and moving it about. The grid pattern should be at least 18 by 18 in. and constructed
of high contrast black lines on a white background (the white separations being equal to the black lines, both being approximately
⁄4 in. wide). The target should be at least 6 to 8 ft from the observer, and the lens should be held at least 18 to 24 in. from the
eye. Any ripples in the lens detected by this test method should be further examined in accordance with 9.2.2.
9.2.2 The referee method of detecting optical defects and local aberrations is to scan the central viewing zone, especially areas
of suspicion arising from the visual test of 9.2.1. The lens or shield should be scanned with a precision focimeter or an 8× to 10×
telescope using the targets and arrangements described in 9.6.2 to 9.6.2.5. . The aperture should be 5 to 7 mm for this examination.
Areas outside the central viewing zone or within 6 mm of the edge need not be tested. When the central viewing area is scanned,
there shall be no sudden jump, doubling, or blurring of the image greater than 0.08 diopters change in power. Gradual variations
in the central viewing zone shall be within the power imbalance tolerances. An optical focimeter with electronic readout repeatable
to 0.02 diopters is a satisfactory alternate method. These scanning procedures may be made by scanning across the lens surface
not necessarily in the “as worn” mode.
9.3 Luminous Transmittance—Use a suitable photometer, such as a Gardner Hazemeter, or other device comprised of a light
source of CIE Illuminant A at 2856°K color temperature, and a photometric probe and meter capable of reading transmission in
percent over a range of 1 % to 100. Use a suitable enclosure to block against stray light and contain the test samples. Following
the manufacturers instructions for the use of the instrument, measure the specimen for percent transmittance within each of the two
central viewing zones. The measured values shall meet the established criteria for the device. A spectrophotometer, followed by
appropriate photometric calculation, may also be used.
9.3.1 For the purposes of this specification, luminance transmittance may be measured with inexpensive photometers. A
fixturing device should be devised to exclude ambient light. The source need not be strictly Illuminate C. A tungsten lamp or a
screw-in fluorescent lamp provides adequate simulation of the use environment.
9.3.2 Ultraviolet Transmittance—Average transmittances are measured in no greater than 10 nm band widths with a
commercially available spectrophotometer.
9.4 Prismatic Deviation Measurements:
9.4.1 Purpose—The test presented here is intended to measure the angular deviation of light rays created by the protective
device as they pass through the lens(es).
9.4.2 Apparatus—A telescope, equipped with a cross hair reticule having a magnification of 8× to 10× and an aperture 19 mm
in diameter shall be used. The test method outlined in ANSI Z87.1-1989 has been found satisfactory for this purpose. Other
methods that yield comparable results may be used. For this test method the target distance is 4 m. This is easier to achieve than
longer distances. The target can be metric graph paper divided into 1 cm and 5 mm squares or constructed with a ruler and compass.
A circle with a 2 cm radius and a center dot about 1.5 mm in diameter will provide the tolerance for overall prism in one eye. If
the 1 cm and 5 mm grids are darkened for 20 mm in each direction from center, with the center lines emphasized, measurements
will be easier. Each 5 mm of the scale represents 0.125 prism diopters. The prism values off-center can be labeled along one edge
of the 4 cm square vertically and horizontally departing from the central zero. The right side of the target should be labeled plus
( + ) and the left side minus (−) and vertical top plus ( + ) and bottom minus (−).
9.4.3 Test Procedure—The eye protector shall be mounted in a fixture so that the axis of the test instrument is aligned with the
normal line of sight as defined in 3.1.13. An appropriate standard head with parallel horizontal holes drilled through the eyes would
be convenient, but in some cases unnecessary. A fixture with a board and dowel sticks can be devised to reproduce the alignment
observer on a standard head. The interpupillary distance must match that of head. The fixture or head should be mounted on a bench
or table. A single telescope can be used for straight ahead monocular readings. The fixture for holding the protector can be slotted
Inexpensive photometers, available from Edmund Scientific Corp., have been found satisfactory for this purpose.
F803 − 19
to move from one eye to the other through the proper interpupillary distance. The telescope should be focused on the target at 4
m and aligned carefully with the cross hairs on the zero point of the target. A two-meridian screw adjustment will help. The
readings for the vertical and horizontal prism for both eyes must be recorded. The monocular prism test is achieved by noting
whether the cross hairs remain in the 20-mm circle. Each 5 mm equals 0.125 prism diopters. For the prism imbalance test, readings
in prism diopters for each eye must be taken. This is done by recording the amount and direction of displacement of the cross hairs
on the target. Apparent movement of the cross hairs in the plus direction is base-out for the right eye and base-in for the left eye
whether or not reversed by the telescope. The same is true for vertical measurements. Record the apparent position of the cross
hairs on the target with plus and minus signs, in terms of prism diopters. Subtract the left eye readings from the right eye readings.
For vertical prism imbalance the absolute value of the resulting figure is the imbalance. For horizontal prism imbalance, a net
positive value indicates the base-out prism imbalance. A net negative value indicates base-in prism imbalance.
9.4.3.1 Alternate Prism Tests (see 9.8.1)—Tabletop systems with a 1 m sample-to-target distance are also acceptable. The target
dimensions should be one-fourth of those given in 9.4.2.
9.5 Haze:
9.5.1 Measure the protector for percent haze within the central viewing zones, with the protector rotated so that the passing
beam of lig
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