Skip to main content
Log in

Damage thresholds of CO2 laser protective eyewear

  • Published:
Lasers in Medical Science Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Experiments were carried out to determine the extent to which CO2 laser protective eyewear was damaged on exposure to a surgical laser beam. Lenses from a range of goggles were exposed for up to 10 s to a 20 W beam and those which failed were exposed for 10 s to a 4 W beam. A successful outcome was defined as one where the irradiance transmitted through the lens material was below the Maximum Permissible Exposure level, as defined in the British Standard, BS 4803. Dielectric-coated glass lenses and absorptive glass lenses afforded good protection for periods much longer than 10 s. Plastic lenses were unreliable although it is possible that they might still confer adequate protection at reduced irradiances.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Winburn DC. Laser Protective Eyewear: How safe is it?Laser Focus/Electro-Optics 1987 April:136–40

    Google Scholar 

  2. BS 4803. Radiation safety of laser products and systems. London: British Standard Institution 1983

  3. DIN 58215. Eye protectors against laser radiation: safety requirements and testing. Berlin: Deutsches Institute fur Normung 1982

    Google Scholar 

  4. ANSI Z136.1. Safe use of lasers. New York: American National Standards Institute 1986

    Google Scholar 

  5. Wolbarsht ML, Sliney DH. Laser Safety Standards Move On.Lasers and Applications 1987, April:96–8

    Google Scholar 

  6. Moseley H, MacKenzie AL, Spence VA. Surgical lasers and the medical physicist—A report by the IPSM Laser working party.HPA Bulletin 1987, September:20–2

    Google Scholar 

  7. Envall KR, Murray, Jr RM. Evaluation of commercially available laser protective eyewear.HEW Publications (FDA) 1979, May:79–8086

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Fenner, J., Moseley, H. Damage thresholds of CO2 laser protective eyewear. Laser Med Sci 4, 33–39 (1989). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02032507

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02032507

Key words

Navigation