Laser Safety Glasses

Laser safety glasses use a process called attenuation, which limits the amount of energy passing through the lens. We offer two types of laser safety glasses: glass and plastic. Glass lenses contain rare elements that absorb the energy, thus preventing the energy from reaching your eyes. On the other hand, plastic lenses have inorganic dyes that block the passing of the certain wavelengths. Plastic lenses block specific wavelengths, which is why it’s important to know which wavelengths you want to protect yourself from. Since plastic lenses contain dyes, they tend to be darker than glass lenses for the same wavelength ranges. It is important to consider the differences between glass and plastic lenses before choosing laser glasses in your wavelength range.

Although the vast majority of lasers are Class 4 machines, you need more information than the laser class to ensure you will be properly protected. If you can't find the required information, you can call our specialists by phone at 833-238-6353, or email us at sales-team@phillips-safety.com. Please include the make and model of your machine and let us know how you are using it, and we can assist you in choosing the proper glasses.

There are several things to consider when choosing laser safety glasses. First, you need to know which wavelength range you need for your line of work. From there you can select glasses within that range. There is a vast amount of laser ranges, so it’s important to select the proper range to ensure that your glasses will fully block any intercepting wavelengths.

The next factor to consider is the power of the laser. Attenuation, or the level of protection, is measured by Optical Density. Optical Density is the amount of energy passed through the lenses. A higher power laser may require a higher Optical Density.

The last consideration is the visible light transmission (VLT) of the lens. This is the amount of visible light that is passed through the lens while still protecting you from the specified wavelength. After the first two considerations are met, you should pick the lenses with the highest VLT available. We suggest choosing the VLT last so that you can ensure the highest possible amount of protection from wavelengths.

The number one rule to remember while interacting with lasers is to NEVER look directly into a lasers path. You should always wear proper protection equipment, which includes safety glasses as well. Regularly follow the standard operating procedure written for the application of your laser. Remember: you can't outrun a laser beam, so never take chances when it comes to lasers and always follow the rules of your machine.

Optical Density, also referred to as OD, is the amount of energy transmitted through a lens. This uses a logarithmic scale, which is scaled by factors of ten. An increase of 1 point is a tenfold difference in measurement of OD. For example, an OD of Zero is 100% transmission. An OD of 1 is 10%, OD 2 = 1%, OD 3= 0.1%, OD4=0.01% and so on. On the other hand, the OD can also show how much light is blocked. For example an OD of 2 deters 99%, OD of 3 deters 99.9%, OD of 4 deters 99.99% and so on.

Without a doubt, all laser radiation can be harmful to your eyes and pose various health risks. Laser energy is concentrated, therefore it’s hundreds of times more powerful than the light from a standard light bulb. Although they are considered safe, even common laser pointers can cause permanent damage if used irresponsibly. The vast majority of lasers require eye protection when being used. Infrared and UV lasers have beams that operate beyond the visible spectrum. This is particularly dangerous because they can harm your eyes with no indication that you have been injured until it’s too late to reverse the damage. Always remember to use proper safety equipment to avoid a catastrophe before it occurs.

The best way to protect yourself is to always follow the rules for using your laser. It’s important to follow a standard operating procedure written by a laser safety officer which details the necessary safety precautions while operating machinery. If you do not have an SOP, follow the rules in the manual that is provided with the laser. Always wear the proper safety glasses for the specified laser range which you are working with. Do not seize safety interlocks or beam control devices. In addition, do not use the laser for other than it was intended. Always refer to the SOP or safety manual if you are unsure of proper procedure or usage. As previously stated, NEVER look directly into the path of the laser. Lastly and most importantly: use common sense! If you think something might pose a safety risk, then don't do it.