Laser Safety: Don’t get burnt

Since their invention in 1960, lasers have become ever more widely deployed in scientific research, in medicine, in industrial materials processing, in telecommunications as well as in numerous consumer applications. What hasn’t changed over the years is the extreme optical hazard that many laser beams present. This article will review the reasons why laser light can be uniquely dangerous, explain how to go about choosing protective eyewear and provide an update on the latest developments in laser safety.

Since their invention in 1960, lasers have become ever more widely deployed in scientific research, in medicine, in industrial materials processing, in telecommunications as well as in numerous consumer applications. What hasn’t changed over the years is the extreme optical hazard that many laser beams present. This article will review the reasons why laser light can be uniquely dangerous, explain how to go about choosing protective eyewear and provide an update on the latest developments in laser safety.