What are the basic styles of laser safety eyewear?

There are two general types, and those are glasses and goggles. Both kinds have their pros and cons. When making a choice between the two, think about how much protection you and your employees require. You may also want to consider if anyone in your staff currently wears prescription eyeglasses. Laser safety glasses are great for people who wear contacts, or don't need prescription glasses. They come in a variety of styles, from aviator to wrap around, as well as very traditional lab glasses. Goggles are the perfect match for technicians, researchers and staff who wear prescription glasses, or those who need complete radiation protection for the eye and the area around the eye.

Do I have to worry about sizing the eyewear, or is there a difference I should be aware of?

Laser eyewear is designed to fit the average size of an adult head, regardless of if they are male or female. However, for some whose heads are larger or smaller than average, standard sizes of glasses may not fit comfortably. For these individuals, a more fully adjustable style of laser safety eyewear can be a perfect option. Styles of glasses with fully adjustable arms are a great idea, and so are goggles that allow you to tighten or loosen the fit with a simple elastic band behind the head. These adjustable options are also a great idea if multiple staff use the laser system. Rather than purchasing an individual pair for every employee, one pair of glasses or goggles can be left with the laser equipment, ensuring the right glasses are always used with the right system.

There isn't a medical supply store in my area, what is the easiest way to purchase laser safety eyewear?

For most individuals in charge of ordering supplies for research, medical, military or industry facilities that use laser systems, buying laser safety eyewear online is much easier than using a retail outlet. Typically, the cost of the individual items, even when shipping costs are included, is less expensive than buying through brick and mortar retail locations. In addition, most online retailers offer far greater selection than actual retail outlets have. You also have the ability to shop both nationally and internationally. However, if you are buying internationally, be careful to make sure OSHA and ANSI standards are in place for the laser safety eyewear you are purchasing.

What are three important considerations for buying laser safety eyewear online?

When buying laser safety eyewear online, it is important to consider three different points. First, look for websites that offer security in every aspect of the transaction. Second, make sure the company offers brand name products that you know and trust. Third, check all of the fine print when it comes to returning the product or making adjustments to orders after they have been placed. Make sure to find a reputable website to purchase from, so that you will receive a great product, as well as excellent service.

What are the major signs of laser injury to the eyes if laser safety glasses aren't used?

Many different symptoms can be associated with laser injury to eyes, unfortunately it is often not until significant damage occurs that the individual realizes the problem. For different laser wavelengths, the damage will be slightly different. There are few pain receptors within the eye and the retina, so laser damage may not be easily noticed. Problems and symptoms of laser energy exposure are usually caused by either not having glasses, or wearing the incorrect glasses. One common problem is experiencing bright color flashes when exposed to a visible light beam. The color flash will correspond to the particular wavelength that caused the damage. With retinal damage the ability to distinguish between green and blue colors may become increasingly problematic and the retina may develop spots of pigmentation, leading to vision problems. Certain types of laser systems, including the YAG systems, can produce serious long term retinal damage known as visual disorientation. Occasionally, a sound that resembles a loud pop is heard when the damage occurs, but may not be associated with a vision problem until later when subsequent exposure worsens the problem.

What is the most popular style of laser safety glasses and why?

The most popular style of laser safety glasses in most labs are the wrap around style, usually because they are lightweight, fits any adult sized head, and are also very comfortable to wear. Wrap around styles provide good side shielding and are similar to popular styles of sunglasses, so they look less like traditional laser safety glasses. Other popular styles include the aviator styles, which have a larger lens area and provide a very clear field of vision. The selection of the style of glasses used in your facility is a personal choice. However, keep in mind that the more comfortable the frames are, the more likely all employees will be in wearing their glasses as required.

Can I tell what type of lenses are in laser safety glasses by the color of the lens itself?

No. There is no way to tell what specific wavelength and optical density that laser safety glasses are designed for just by the lens color alone. This is because there are only very slight variations in many of the lens colors, and they are virtually undetectable to the human eye. In addition some lens colors are the same but are designed for different wavelengths. It is therefore important to do some additional coding or identifying of the laser safety glasses based on the specification of the laser system they were ordered for use with. It is a good idea to begin a color coding system or a number system that associates one type of lens and glass with a specific laser system. This way employees, technicians and others who work in the facility don't assume thatall amber lenses can be used with a particular laser system, or that all red lenses are acceptable with another.

Can eye and eye area damage be avoided by the use of laser safety goggles?

Yes providing the laser safety goggles or glasses that are worn are correctly selected based on the laser system in use. Laser safety goggles or glasses can be selected either by the wavelength of the system where they will be in use or through the specific type of laser used. Since goggles cover both the areas around the eyes as well as the eyes themselves they do provide maximum coverage and protection. They are more comprehensive in their protection that laser safety glasses even with side shields.

What is the major advantage of laser safety goggles over laser safety glasses?

Laser safety goggles are a good option when used with Class 4 lasers or some Class 3 lasers since they provide very complete protection to all areas of the eye and around the eye. They are also a good option when there is the possibility of splashes or contamination by liquids when radiation is also in use. Goggles may be more comfortable for people that wear prescription glasses, especially if the goggles are specially designed just for this factor. Many people simply prefer goggles because they are very easy to adjust to any head size with a simple loosening or tightening of an elastic strap that goes around the back of the head.

I need to wear prescription eyeglasses or contacts, how does that work with laser safety goggles?

Laser safety goggles tend to have a much larger lens area that extends beyond where a traditional laser safety glass lens would sit on the face. This allows space for prescription eyewear under the goggles while still providing the maximum amount of protection of the eye itself as well as the delicate skin surrounding the eye. Contact wearers are more fortunate in that they can wear either goggles or laser safety glasses without any discomfort. Therefore, prescription eyeglasses can be effectively worn with laser safety goggles. Keep in mind that the lens on laser safety goggles or glasses can be customized to a prescription lens if so desired with most prescriptions and with most styles of safety eyewear.

What is Optical Density and why does it matter with laser safety goggles?

Optical density or OD is a measurement of the attenuation or reduction of the light entering your eyes from a particular wavelength. Each particular waveband or wavelength of a laser is different so the OD or reduction factor to make the light safe for your eyes will be different. In general OD is a number which indicates a factor of 10. Therefore an OD2 would indicate that the lens is safe for use with a specific laser because it reduces the wavelength hitting the eye by a factor of 100 or 10 times 10. If you do not use the laser safety goggles or glasses designed for a specific laser emission you will not provide the attenuation or reduction in the light wave to protect your eyes from damage.