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Beam Hazards - Eye

When the eye is exposed to a laser beam without the benefit of eye protection, the brightness of the beam triggers the automatic reaction of closing the eyes and turning the head away from the source of the light. This is referred to as the aversion response.

For Class 1 and Class 2 laser systems, the aversion response is considered adequate protection for instances where the unprotected eye is exposed to the beam. However, if the beam is viewed with a magnifier, such as an eye-loupe or a telescope, then exposure of the eye to the laser beam could cause damage to the retina.

Laser light produced by different wavelengths of lasers will affect different portions of the eye:

Ultraviolet:

  • Lasers operating in the ultraviolet spectrum are absorbed in the front part of the eye, including the cornea and lens. Thermal burns to the cornea can cause permanent damage and require a corneal transplant to repair. Prolonged exposure to some ultraviolet wavelengths can result in cataracts of the lens.

Visible spectrum:

  • Lasers that operate in the visible spectrum are dangerous to the retina. Because of the focusing power of the lens, the beam of a laser that passes through the lens can be focused by as much as 100,000 times and create a burn injury that is severe and highly localized.

Near infrared:

  • Lasers that radiate power in the near infrared region of the spectrum will be absorbed primarily in the retina as well. However, because the light of near infrared lasers is not visible to the eye, the concentration of the beam by the lens may go undetected until severe damage has been done.

Far infrared:

  • Lasers that operate in the far infrared spectrum will primarily affect the cornea. Repeated excessive exposure to this type of laser or radiant light (such as that given off by glass-blowing furnaces) can cause cataracts.

Damage to the fovea, located in the center of the macula, is generally the most serious eye injury, causing severe loss of vision. The degree of the impairment will depend upon both the location and extent of the injury, and the inflammatory response. In general, when the injury is closer to the center of the fovea, there is a greater chance of severe loss of eyesight.

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