So I hope I didn't just ruin my eyes. I can see a spot in the center of line of sight with my eyes opened and closed. I really hope this goes away.
Before anyone asks, I didn't shine it directly into my eyes, but I did catch a reflection off of something, not really sure what.
So what kind of safety glasses should I get to prevent this from ever happening again? Will my shade 5 plasma goggles or 9-13 welding helmet suffice or so I need something specific to the laser?
It's a green 532nm <200mw, with a focus of 5000-10,000 meters if that makes a difference.
Late edit: the spot is gone, but I still don't want that risk in the future.
My brother works at a defense contractor that deals in high power lasers.
He told me that the safety notice in their lab area says "Do not look into beam with remaining good eye"
There are specific wave length safety glasses for use around lasers.
McMaster only carries ones for ~1000nm and 10600nm ranges, after a very quick search.
I am sure there are some available for your specific range...
In reply to Apexcarver :
Those were the first ones I saw when I went searching. I guess if I just have to match the frequency, they'll work. Admittedly the low price concerned me some.
Guess I'll just pull the battery out until I get a pair, sounds like the safest move.
Is it weird I'm more afraid of the damage from a laser than my cutter or welder?
Yep, goggles are frequency specific. CO2 lasers, for example, are 10.6 micrometers, and ordinary Lexan safety glasses will absorb the beam. At least a diffuse reflection. A direct hit from the kilowatt range machines I used to work with would punch through those in milliseconds, but those are more "Do not touch laser beam with remaining hand" territory.
YAG lasers typically require special greenish goggles, while visible light lasers need tint that blocks their own color.
RevRico said:
Is it weird I'm more afraid of the damage from a laser than my cutter or welder?
The dangers from a laser are a lot less intuitive than those from other types of tools, so no, I don't think it's weird at all. We have instincts for avoiding sharp and hot things, not so much for lasers.
codrus said:
We have instincts for avoiding sharp and hot things, not so much for lasers.
This is why all lasers should come attached to sharks.
I have been tagged before. It's not fun. Glad it went away for you.
RevRico said:
In reply to Apexcarver :
Those were the first ones I saw when I went searching. I guess if I just have to match the frequency, they'll work. Admittedly the low price concerned me some.
Guess I'll just pull the battery out until I get a pair, sounds like the safest move.
Is it weird I'm more afraid of the damage from a laser than my cutter or welder?
Usually more expense mostly buys style and comfort, its relatively easy and cheap to provide sufficient coverage to mitigate 99% of the risk.
Honestly, I am paranoid about eye safety. Easily damaged and what is operable, well, the operations make my skin crawl. (see; drilling rust out)