UM-1151140EN, Rev. C, May 2016
Laser
Safety
and
Regulatory
Laser safety eyewear must also be resistant to physical damage or photo-
bleaching resulting from laser exposure as per ANSI Z136.1-2007, section
4.6.2 and Appendix C. For operators who must comply with EN 207, the
safety eyewear must have a protection class of LB6.
In addition to providing the required laser safety eyewear, take the
following steps to secure the treatment room or the controlled area:
1.
To alert personnel before they enter the controlled area, place a
warning sign on the outside of the treatment room door when the laser
is in use.
2.
Close the treatment room door during operation of the laser.
3.
External door interlocks that automatically disable the laser when the
treatment room door is opened may be installed.
Note
A blocking barrier, screen, or curtain capable of blocking or filtering the
laser beam could be placed to create a controlled area inside a large
treatment room. The barrier should be made of material that can
withstand the power of the treatment beam for the maximum exposure
time, relative to the configuration of the controlled area and the
treatment parameters for the specific medical application.
2.3.1. Additional Ocular
Protection
● Always verify that the delivery device is properly connected to the
laser. An improper connection may result in an inadvertent
secondary laser beam. Severe eye or tissue damage could occur.
● Never substitute prescription eyewear for the appropriate laser
safety eyewear, as severe eye damage could occur. Prescription
eyewear can concentrate the laser light to the eye and/or can be
shattered by a high power density beam, possibly causing severe
eye damage.
● Severe and irreversible eye damage and scarring may occur from
direct or indirect exposure to the treatment beam. The
predominant ocular structures at risk are dependent on the laser
wavelength in use. In general, visible and near-infrared
wavelengths are most damaging to the retina, while ultraviolet or
infrared wavelengths are most damaging to the cornea and sclera.
Severity of injury depends on how concentrated or diffused the
treatment beam is and the length of exposure. A thorough
understanding of the specific ocular risks and safety precautions
for each laser wavelength is necessary to ensure the safety of the
patient and operating personnel.
● Never look directly into any optical lens, except for therapeutic
purposes, nor any optical fiber, probe, or laser system aperture
while the laser is energized. Severe eye damage could occur.
Turn off the laser before inspecting any delivery system or laser
components.
To Next Page
Loading...
