| High power laser pointers and laser modules are | | | | protection from green lasers. |
| both entertaining and widely used for a large | | | | With laser safety glasses, quality depends on two |
| number of applications. There is just one serious | | | | points. How well they block light at a certain |
| problem though with the spread of high power | | | | wavelength and how much visibility they provide. |
| lasers. High power lasers can cause serious and | | | | The ability to block light is determined by optical |
| permanent damage to your eyes in less time | | | | density or OD for short. The higher the OD, the |
| than it takes to blink. Governments and health | | | | more light that is blocked. |
| organizations are aware of this and use and | | | | For most applications the preferred OD is from 3 |
| ownership of lasers is becoming increasingly | | | | to 4. If the OD is lower than 3, not enough of the |
| regulated to reduce the dangers of lasers. | | | | laser beams energy is blocked. If the OD higher |
| The best solution though to the danger of high | | | | than 4, visibility while wearing the laser safety |
| powered lasers is laser safety glasses or goggle | | | | glasses will be too impaired. |
| for eye protection. | | | | Laser safety glasses are designed to protect |
| Laser safety glasses work by using a polymer | | | | users from accidental exposure to laser beams |
| containing dyes that block light over a specific | | | | not deliberate extended exposure. After several |
| range of colors or wavelengths. For example | | | | seconds exposure to a laser beam, the dyes in |
| some laser safety glasses will block light with a | | | | the glasses will be destroyed and the glasses will |
| wavelength of 500nm to 540nm which provides | | | | no longer provide protection. |