laser pointer eye protection

Hi,

I've been trying to find information about the safety of laser pointers.
I've found lots of discussions in this group from the past but none that
specifically address my situation. (Not surprising. What I'm trying to do
is rather odd.)

I want to use a small laser pointer on stage during a performance. The one
I have is class 3a, 630-680 nm, < 1 mw. I know from what I've read that a
class 3a laser can damage eyes, but it looks like the power is low enough
on this that a normal blink reflex should be sufficient. But, as this
would be intentionally pointed across a stage, directly at a person (me), I
don't feel comfortable with the idea that if it happens to cross my eyes,
I'll blink fast enough. It's one thing if this were a random occurrence,
but it *will* be pointed at me. I have to assume that at some point it
will hit my eyes. Therefore, I need eye protection.

There is a clear balloon in front of my face between me and the person that
would be holding the laser. The red laser spot is seen through the
balloon, but I assume the balloon does something to weaken/diffuse the
beam. I don't know if this makes a sufficient difference.

Would a pair of sunglasses or cheap, readily available safety goggles be
sufficient for such a low power beam? Or do I really want something
completely dark (welder's goggles) or real laser safety goggles?

If it helps put things in perspective, I also juggle and eat fire. At face
value, this seems like no big deal compared to those. But I want to make
sure I'm right about that. I spent a lot of time learning about the
dangers of those before I picked them up also. I just want to know what
I'm potentially getting into.

--
Larry Moss, http://www.airigami.com
PO Box 23523, Rochester, NY 14692, (585) 359-8695
Airigami: The art of folding air in specially prepared latex containers.

Probably not a big hazard, but you might consider getting a tinted lens
that cuts down the red wavelengths, like a blue tint. The main thing is
not to stare at the laser when it's shining, with or without protection,
just to be sure.

w.stacy, o.d.

Larry Moss wrote:

>Hi,
>
>I've been trying to find information about the safety of laser pointers.
>I've found lots of discussions in this group from the past but none that
>specifically address my situation. (Not surprising. What I'm trying to do
>is rather odd.)
>
>I want to use a small laser pointer on stage during a performance. The one
>I have is class 3a, 630-680 nm, < 1 mw. I know from what I've read that a
>class 3a laser can damage eyes, but it looks like the power is low enough
>on this that a normal blink reflex should be sufficient. But, as this
>would be intentionally pointed across a stage, directly at a person (me), I
>don't feel comfortable with the idea that if it happens to cross my eyes,
>I'll blink fast enough. It's one thing if this were a random occurrence,
>but it *will* be pointed at me. I have to assume that at some point it
>will hit my eyes. Therefore, I need eye protection.
>
>There is a clear balloon in front of my face between me and the person that
>would be holding the laser. The red laser spot is seen through the
>balloon, but I assume the balloon does something to weaken/diffuse the
>beam. I don't know if this makes a sufficient difference.
>
>Would a pair of sunglasses or cheap, readily available safety goggles be
>sufficient for such a low power beam? Or do I really want something
>completely dark (welder's goggles) or real laser safety goggles?
>
>If it helps put things in perspective, I also juggle and eat fire. At face
>value, this seems like no big deal compared to those. But I want to make
>sure I'm right about that. I spent a lot of time learning about the
>dangers of those before I picked them up also. I just want to know what
>I'm potentially getting into.
>
>
>

On Apr 11, 10:49 am, Larry Moss <m...@airigami.com> wrote:

> If it helps put things in perspective, I also juggle and eat fire.

Is that more of a South Beach or an Atkins diet?

Hi,

Your laser pointer of 630-680nm must be red laser pointers . Red is
much safer than Green .

Have a look at :

http://www.anewstone.com/zx/more-inf...e%20retina.htm



On Apr 12, 1:49 am, Larry Moss <m...@airigami.com> wrote:
> Hi,
>
> I've been trying to find information about the safety oflaserpointers.
> I've found lots of discussions in this group from the past but none that
> specifically address my situation. (Not surprising. What I'm trying to do
> is rather odd.)
>
> I want to use a smalllaserpointer on stage during a performance. The one
> I have is class 3a, 630-680 nm, < 1 mw. I know from what I've read that a
> class 3alasercan damage eyes, but it looks like the power is low enough
> on this that a normal blink reflex should be sufficient. But, as this
> would be intentionally pointed across a stage, directly at a person (me), I
> don't feel comfortable with the idea that if it happens to cross my eyes,
> I'll blink fast enough. It's one thing if this were a random occurrence,
> but it *will* be pointed at me. I have to assume that at some point it
> will hit my eyes. Therefore, I need eye protection.
>
> There is a clear balloon in front of my face between me and the person that
> would be holding thelaser. The redlaserspot is seen through the
> balloon, but I assume the balloon does something to weaken/diffuse the
> beam. I don't know if this makes a sufficient difference.
>
> Would a pair of sunglasses or cheap, readily available safety goggles be
> sufficient for such a low power beam? Or do I really want something
> completely dark (welder's goggles) or reallasersafety goggles?
>
> If it helps put things in perspective, I also juggle and eat fire. At face
> value, this seems like no big deal compared to those. But I want to make
> sure I'm right about that. I spent a lot of time learning about the
> dangers of those before I picked them up also. I just want to know what
> I'm potentially getting into.
>
> --
> Larry Moss,http://www.airigami.com
> PO Box 23523, Rochester, NY 14692, (585) 359-8695
> Airigami: The art of folding air in specially prepared latex containers.

On 2007-04-11, William Stacy <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:
> Probably not a big hazard, but you might consider getting a tinted lens
> that cuts down the red wavelengths, like a blue tint. The main thing is
> not to stare at the laser when it's shining, with or without protection,
> just to be sure.

Thanks for that. At a minimum, I'll plan on a blue tinted pair of sunglasses.
Looking forward to other comments from others.

--
Larry Moss, http://www.airigami.com
PO Box 23523, Rochester, NY 14692, (585) 359-8695
Airigami: The art of folding air in specially prepared latex containers.

On 2007-04-12, anewstone <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:
> Have a look at :
>
> http://www.anewstone.com/zx/more-inf...e%20retina.htm

The key paragraph for me from that article is this one:

Previously, he determined red laser pointers to be quite safe. "I tested
different powers up to five milliwatts and could not create recognizable
damage in the human eye with the red laser pointers," he explains. "So, at
least a transient exposure to red laser pointers' light is only of trivial
concern."

That seems to disagree with other things I've read online that expressly
say that any class 3a laser can cause eye damage. I guess I'll keep
reading. I'm new to this stuff and don't know which sources to trust at
this point.

I appreciate the reference. Thanks.

--
Larry Moss, http://www.airigami.com
PO Box 23523, Rochester, NY 14692, (585) 359-8695
Airigami: The art of folding air in specially prepared latex containers.