Forums › Erbium Lasers › General Erbium Discussion › Eye Protection and Erbium Lasers
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SwpmnSpectatorDr. Kimmel posed to me a question regarding eye protection from the Erbium laser if one is using magnification loupes.
Currently I have no protection as I need loupes to perform laser therapy so don’t use the provided safety glasses.
Can those of you who are using loupes or microscope and are in the know help us out and provide some guidance? What is the risk of using loupes with no filter for the Erbium laser irradiation? Can loupes be coated or altered or replaced so that they will have some sort of filter and provide proper eye protection?
Thanks for your help,
Al
AnonymousGuestAl,
I have filters that pop in behind the lens of the safety glasses that come with my loupes. They are wavelength specific. In the Laser Supply Forum there is a thread with links to Innovative Optics and Trinity which can make these. For the last pair (diode) I ordered the snap in frame from Surgitel and then sent it off to Trinity and they made the filters fit that frame.
I’ll try and remember to take a picture and post it tomorrow, of the filters for the loupes that I have.
BenchwmerSpectatorI ‘ve used Laser Clip-Ins for my Orascoptic Loupes for over three years. They fit inside the glass frames. Light grey tinted.
Recieved from Innovative Optics 800-990-1455
My inserts work w/ Nd:YAG, Diodes and Erb:YAG wavelengths.
Glenn van AsSpectatorPhone Tom Barrows at Innovative Optics and have him make a filter for your glasses to drop behind them.
Erbium isnt as dangerous as Diode, argon or some of the others but it isnt good to not use safety lenses.
Argon is absorbed by the retina and causes problems there.
Erbium is absorbed by the cornea and lens which has water in it……..
Each individual wavelength has its own issues.
I have posted some pics before of laser safety options with the scope but ask if you want me to repost.
Look for Trinity or Innovative optics.
There are web pages for each I think
Glenn
SwpmnSpectatorWe appreciate your help Ron, Jeff and Glenn.
Al
Janet CenturySpectatorI am having a “silly” problem. When I have the insert for my loupes (for the Erbium) I cannot control the fogging. I don’t have this problem with the loupes alone. Advice?
dkimmelSpectatorCould this be just the initial excitement of using the laser? It should resolve with time!!
David
Alan CadySpectatorThe problem I have with the safety glasses it that they will not fit behind my DFV glasses. I have them so that I have to bend my neck very little. When I put them on my 5.0 Surgitels they also fog up just like Janet. Ant although I still get excited about lasers after 2 1/2 years use, I control that well. ;o)
Alan Cady
dkimmelSpectatorThis is week #2 with the Waterlase and the Lasersmile. I have been ignoring the safteyglass issue with the Waterlase and just not using maginicfation with the Diode laser. Yesterday was a fairly full day with using both lasers. At the end of the day I had extreme eye fatique and a headache. My vision in my right eye was blurry. It was almost as if I had a sunburn. Sort of like when I am out on the water on a real sunny day and have forgotten my sunglasses.
Everything is clear this morning. Looks like I will need to decide quickly on what eyeprotection to use. I did find that the safetyglasses from Biolase will fit over the front of my DFV 2.5. I used this with no problems with the diode laser today. It may sound odd but I have to use my DFV 4.5 to even begin to see what I am doing with the Waterlase. The safetyglasses will not fit over the 4.5s but the DFV 4.5 will fit over the safteyglasses. So in the short term I have solved my problem. Not very fashionable but at least my sight is still clear .
Glenn van AsSpectatorDavid: I am so glad that you say that you need 4.5X to see what you are doing. Now you know why I love working at 10X power with the scope with the laser and why I feel naked without it when I go on the road
Try the filters if you can get them inside the loupes as the diode can be very very bad for your eye.
The ebium affects your cornea and your lens and the diode can affect your retina.
Dont risk it , honestly, get the filters for the loupes. Your eyes will thank you!!
Glenn
Robert GreggParticipantQUOTEI am having a “silly” problem. When I have the insert for my loupes (for the Erbium) I cannot control the fogging. I don’t have this problem with the loupes alone. Advice?Have you tried “defogger” that us scuba people use? Just use some liquid soap before you insert them, that ought to work. Wash them off with soap, rinse and air dry. If you wipe them off, you lose the “film”.
Of course you can always use the “natural” defogger like us old divers still use–aaaaauuck, thwap!! Rinse and air dry.:cheesy:
QUOTECould this be just the initial excitement of using the laser? It should resolve with time!!Then again, David may just be right, and it will pass with time!
Cheers!
Bob
ASISpectatorHi All,
Is eye protection necessary with the Waterlase? The rep says it is not needed. How can this be, if it is an Erbium:YAG like the Delight?
Andrew
Glenn van AsSpectatorYou should wear eye protection, there is argument about the safe distance that is needed to get away from the laser ( 8-14 inches is one estimate) but remember this that the laser energy from the Erbium YSGG laser is absorbed by water in the cornea and lens……..
Is it worth the risk. I wouldnt take the chance.
Glenn
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