Laser Safety Eye Protection - Don't Take A Chance

When it comes to working with lasers, safety is paramount. Not only are lasers very powerful, but the human eye is particularly sensitive to laser light. Retinal and corneal damage can occur very easily and can be impossible to reverse. The retina is the surface at the back of the eye that transmits images to the optic nerve. The hazards of laser light here are obvious, as many lasers have the power to burn through this delicate tissue. Permanent blindness can result from this exposure to laser light if proper eye protection is not used.
The motto must therefore be prevention rather than cure. The best and most efficient way of preventing laser damage is wearing laser safety glasses. These are special glasses specifically designed to block certain wavelengths of laser light that could damage eyesight.
When choosing a pair of laser safety glasses, ensure that they are designed for the type of laser you are using. They should allow a large field of vision and be comfortable if you are going to be wearing them for protracted periods. They should also be a good fit. You don’t want them to slip around as this can result in injury due to impaired field of vision.
It can be a challenge to find the right pair of glasses, ones that do not impair vision, but protect it none the less. There can occasionally be issues with the user sweating into the glasses. This is unpleasant and can be a danger if vision is compromised. Thus, the eyewear you choose should be comfortable, as uncomfortable eyewear often results in people failing to wear it at all.
This raises the most important part of laser safety, wearing the safety glasses. You can have the best protection in the world, but it will do you no good at all sitting on the bench next to you.
Nathan Waterman trained and certified in industrial PPE use writes for http://www.safety-glasses-n-goggles.com recently discussed safety eyewear for sports.
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