Safety Use of Laser Pointers

Laser pointers are usually applied in presentation situations for lectures, business conferences etc. to point at topics of interests. They are visible beams with various power output and changeable colors. Teachers can use it for teaching assistant and demonstrate their lectures vividly. And along with the advance of technology, laser pointers become more and more common in life. While one point need to concern is the safety use of laser pointers especially to human eyes.

This is a temporary optical problem concerning laser pointers with human eyes. Normal problems are flash blindness, glare and afterimages. Flash blindness occurs whenever someone is exposed to a bright light source. While it only lasts for a few seconds, it can be extremely dangerous when someone is involved in a task which requires vision, such as driving. Afterimages can last for several days, and take the form of small spots in the vision. Glare, a reduction of visibility caused by bright light, occurs while the laser is directed at the eyes.

Fortunately, there is no permanent damage to human eyes once harmed by laser pointers. They may cause reduction of visibility and one should use them carefully and properly to avoid dangerous. Moreover, there will be profound optical damages once under long time exposure of laser beams. Nowadays, many laser pointers are tagged as low harm or less power output, but there are still strong power ones. When it is focused on the retina through the lens of the eye, it can cause damage. Continuously staring into a laser through a fully diluted eye for over one minute may cause a retinal burn.

Many regions had regulated the labeling of laser pointers to ensure safety of users. One can find that there is a “caution” label on laser pointers to show their dangerous class and the power output are also showed. Many laser pointers are IIIA devices, meaning that there is a potential for damage with direct exposure to the laser. Class two lasers are less powerful, and are a better choice if you are concerned about safety. Usually, laser power within 1mW is relatively safety. They are mostly used as star pointers or teaching laser pens or just used to play with pets.

Generally laser pointer will not harmful to human if used properly. You cannot take it as a funny toy or just pointed directly at others. Even when you use it outdoors, you cannot just point it at random. Please do keep it away from children otherwise it may be dangerous as kids have little idea about the harm of laser pointers.