Laser Eye Protection Exam Questions
and Answers
what characteristics of the eye put vision at risk from lasers? - Correct Answers -1.
transparency
2. light is focused on the retina
3. UV and IR light may not penetrate to retina
laser eye risk: corneal transparency - Correct Answers -- 90% of visible light is
transmitted
- retinal damage is possible, esp. with intense energy
- ex) sun light -> takes several minutes to cause damage
- ex) laser light -> damage can be instantaneous
laser eye risk: retina - Correct Answers -light is focused on the retina
- energy density is increased in lasers -> damage can occur instantaneously
laser eye risk: UV and IR - Correct Answers -UV and IR may not penetrate to retina
- lens, ocular surface, and skin at risk
- light in this range is invisible!
ANSI laser standards - Correct Answers -Z-136.1 and Z-136.3
- voluntary guidelines
FDA laser regulation - Correct Answers -- mandates that the center for devices and
radiological health regulate the manufacture and use of all medical lasers
- approved new lasers for a specific use
- does NOT determine which medical practitioner may use a particular device (leaves
this up to state licensure)
OSHA laser regulation - Correct Answers -1. regulated workplace safety
2. the responsibility for maintaining a safe workplace falls upon the employer
- mandates safety assessments, protective measures, and compliance monitoring
- may conduct unannounced inspection or respond to employee complaints
3. have specific safety procedures
- require a laser safety officer (LSO) -> established and maintains facility laser safety
program
Laser state regulations - Correct Answers -- some states require a license for use of
lasers
- applies to both industrial and medical settings
, Laser Institute of America (LIA) - Correct Answers -- independent organization; devoted
to laser safety in the workplace
- conducts laser safety educational programs throughout the country
- publishes several different laser safety manuals
- information on LIA courses and publications
other laser regulatory groups - Correct Answers -1. american conference of
governmental industrial hygienists (ACGIG)
2. the american society of laser medicine and surgery (ASLMS)
**not legally binding, but may be helpful
potential laser hazards - Correct Answers -1. fire
- often near flammable substances
2. burns
- skin, etc. with moderate to high power lasers
3. ocular
- transmission or reflection into the eye
- filters often build into oculars
- eye protection sometimes needed
4. electrical
5. chemical/biological
- solvents
- tissue plume
laser risk classification - Correct Answers -Classifications levels have been established
to identify the severity of risk
- ANSI Z136.1-2000
what determines laser risk classification - Correct Answers -1. temporal characteristics
- continuous, pulsed, Q-switched
2. spatial characteristics
- beam size, divergence
3. beam characteristics
- wavelength, energy power
Class 1 lasers - Correct Answers -1. pose NO hazard
- unable to emit a harmful level of light under normal working conditions
2. very low power
- exposure may not exceed 40 microwatts
3. most class 1 lasers contain higher-class lasers within a casing or instrument
- user is protected by housing
- not intended to be externally exposed
Class 2 Lasers - Correct Answers -1. applies only to lasers working in the visible range
and Answers
what characteristics of the eye put vision at risk from lasers? - Correct Answers -1.
transparency
2. light is focused on the retina
3. UV and IR light may not penetrate to retina
laser eye risk: corneal transparency - Correct Answers -- 90% of visible light is
transmitted
- retinal damage is possible, esp. with intense energy
- ex) sun light -> takes several minutes to cause damage
- ex) laser light -> damage can be instantaneous
laser eye risk: retina - Correct Answers -light is focused on the retina
- energy density is increased in lasers -> damage can occur instantaneously
laser eye risk: UV and IR - Correct Answers -UV and IR may not penetrate to retina
- lens, ocular surface, and skin at risk
- light in this range is invisible!
ANSI laser standards - Correct Answers -Z-136.1 and Z-136.3
- voluntary guidelines
FDA laser regulation - Correct Answers -- mandates that the center for devices and
radiological health regulate the manufacture and use of all medical lasers
- approved new lasers for a specific use
- does NOT determine which medical practitioner may use a particular device (leaves
this up to state licensure)
OSHA laser regulation - Correct Answers -1. regulated workplace safety
2. the responsibility for maintaining a safe workplace falls upon the employer
- mandates safety assessments, protective measures, and compliance monitoring
- may conduct unannounced inspection or respond to employee complaints
3. have specific safety procedures
- require a laser safety officer (LSO) -> established and maintains facility laser safety
program
Laser state regulations - Correct Answers -- some states require a license for use of
lasers
- applies to both industrial and medical settings
, Laser Institute of America (LIA) - Correct Answers -- independent organization; devoted
to laser safety in the workplace
- conducts laser safety educational programs throughout the country
- publishes several different laser safety manuals
- information on LIA courses and publications
other laser regulatory groups - Correct Answers -1. american conference of
governmental industrial hygienists (ACGIG)
2. the american society of laser medicine and surgery (ASLMS)
**not legally binding, but may be helpful
potential laser hazards - Correct Answers -1. fire
- often near flammable substances
2. burns
- skin, etc. with moderate to high power lasers
3. ocular
- transmission or reflection into the eye
- filters often build into oculars
- eye protection sometimes needed
4. electrical
5. chemical/biological
- solvents
- tissue plume
laser risk classification - Correct Answers -Classifications levels have been established
to identify the severity of risk
- ANSI Z136.1-2000
what determines laser risk classification - Correct Answers -1. temporal characteristics
- continuous, pulsed, Q-switched
2. spatial characteristics
- beam size, divergence
3. beam characteristics
- wavelength, energy power
Class 1 lasers - Correct Answers -1. pose NO hazard
- unable to emit a harmful level of light under normal working conditions
2. very low power
- exposure may not exceed 40 microwatts
3. most class 1 lasers contain higher-class lasers within a casing or instrument
- user is protected by housing
- not intended to be externally exposed
Class 2 Lasers - Correct Answers -1. applies only to lasers working in the visible range
