Post: 6 Things to Look For When Purchasing Laser Safety Glasses

6 Things to Look For When Purchasing Laser Safety Glasses

SHOP LASER SAFETY GLASSES
SHOP LASER SAFETY GLASSES
SHOP LASER SAFETY GLASSES

Purchasing laser safety glasses requires careful consideration, especially if you’re new to the process. Unlike buying standard sunglasses or high-end outdoor eyewear, laser safety glasses protect your eyes from specific hazards. With the right information, selecting the right pair becomes easier and ensures that your eyes are well-protected. Below are six critical factors to keep in mind when choosing laser safety glasses.

1. Viewing Conditions

When choosing laser safety glasses, it’s essential to first understand your viewing conditions. These conditions generally fall into two categories: diffuse viewing and direct viewing.

Diffuse Viewing

In environments where laser radiation is scattered, such as in laboratory settings or industrial applications, you’ll need laser safety glasses designed for diffuse viewing. This type of protection shields your eyes from secondary, scattered beams rather than direct exposure. The glasses for diffuse viewing are typically less intense in terms of optical density (OD) but still offer adequate protection from reflected laser light.

Direct Viewing

In contrast, direct viewing involves environments where the risk of exposure to the primary laser beam is present. This exposure could be partial or full, and protection is critical because direct laser exposure can cause severe eye damage, including permanent blindness. Laser safety glasses for direct viewing require higher optical density (OD) and are specifically rated to protect against direct laser beams at the wavelengths you’re exposed to.

Determining whether your work environment involves diffuse or direct viewing is the first step in narrowing down your eyewear options.

Laser-Safety-Glasses-Shop-Now_Blog-Banner_Phillips-Safety_Shorter0
Laser-Safety-Glasses-Shop-Now_Blog-Banner_Phillips-Safety_Shorter0

1. Viewing Conditions

When choosing laser safety glasses, it’s essential to first understand your viewing conditions. These conditions generally fall into two categories: diffuse viewing and direct viewing.

Diffuse Viewing

In environments where laser radiation is scattered, such as in laboratory settings or industrial applications, you’ll need laser safety glasses designed for diffuse viewing. This type of protection shields your eyes from secondary, scattered beams rather than direct exposure. The glasses for diffuse viewing are typically less intense in terms of optical density (OD) but still offer adequate protection from reflected laser light.

Direct Viewing

In contrast, direct viewing involves environments where the risk of exposure to the primary laser beam is present. This exposure could be partial or full, and protection is critical because direct laser exposure can cause severe eye damage, including permanent blindness. Laser safety glasses for direct viewing require higher optical density (OD) and are specifically rated to protect against direct laser beams at the wavelengths you’re exposed to.

Determining whether your work environment involves diffuse or direct viewing is the first step in narrowing down your eyewear options.

Laser-Safety-Glasses-Shop-Now_Blog-Banner_Phillips-Safety_Shorter4

2. Field of View

Your field of view (FOV) is crucial when working in environments where peripheral vision is important. Laser safety glasses can sometimes include additional side shields to block stray radiation. While these shields add a layer of protection, they can also restrict your peripheral vision, which may pose its own risks depending on your work.

Wide FOV

If your job requires a full range of vision to monitor surroundings or operate machinery, it’s important to choose laser safety glasses that minimize blind spots. A restricted FOV could make it harder to detect peripheral hazards or navigate your workspace safely. For these scenarios, glasses with a wraparound design can offer both protection and a broader FOV.

Limited FOV

In some highly specialized work environments, you may prioritize extra protection over peripheral vision. In these cases, side shields or other features that reduce your FOV may be acceptable, particularly if you’re working in an area where you’re more stationary and focused on specific tasks.

Your job requirements and workspace layout should guide your decision on how much FOV restriction you can safely tolerate while still ensuring adequate laser protection.

3. Comfort

Comfort plays a significant role in your ability to perform your job effectively, especially if you wear your laser safety glasses for extended periods. Discomfort can lead to distractions, reducing productivity and possibly compromising safety. A few factors affect the comfort of laser safety glasses:

Weight

Heavier glasses can cause fatigue, particularly around the nose bridge and ears. Materials like glass filters, which are often heavier, provide excellent protection but might not be ideal for long-term wear. Polycarbonate lenses, in contrast, are lightweight and generally more comfortable for extended use, though they may offer lower optical density (OD).

Fit and Adjustability

A proper fit is essential for both comfort and safety. Glasses that are too tight can cause headaches or discomfort around the temples, while loose-fitting glasses may not provide adequate coverage. Many laser safety glasses come with adjustable arms or nose pieces to customize the fit.

Breathability and Padding

Some laser safety glasses feature padded nose bridges or temples, which can help reduce pressure points. Additionally, breathability around the eye area is important, especially if you work in warm or humid environments where lenses can fog up.

Choosing a pair that balances weight, fit, and padding will allow you to stay comfortable and focused during long work sessions.

Laser-Safety-Glasses-Shop-Now_Blog-Banner_Phillips-Safety_Shorter1
Laser-Safety-Glasses-Shop-Now_Blog-Banner_Phillips-Safety_Shorter1

3. Comfort

Comfort plays a significant role in your ability to perform your job effectively, especially if you wear your laser safety glasses for extended periods. Discomfort can lead to distractions, reducing productivity and possibly compromising safety. A few factors affect the comfort of laser safety glasses:

Weight

Heavier glasses can cause fatigue, particularly around the nose bridge and ears. Materials like glass filters, which are often heavier, provide excellent protection but might not be ideal for long-term wear. Polycarbonate lenses, in contrast, are lightweight and generally more comfortable for extended use, though they may offer lower optical density (OD).

Fit and Adjustability

A proper fit is essential for both comfort and safety. Glasses that are too tight can cause headaches or discomfort around the temples, while loose-fitting glasses may not provide adequate coverage. Many laser safety glasses come with adjustable arms or nose pieces to customize the fit.

Breathability and Padding

Some laser safety glasses feature padded nose bridges or temples, which can help reduce pressure points. Additionally, breathability around the eye area is important, especially if you work in warm or humid environments where lenses can fog up.

Choosing a pair that balances weight, fit, and padding will allow you to stay comfortable and focused during long work sessions.

Laser-Safety-Glasses-Shop-Now_Blog-Banner_Phillips-Safety_Shorter5

4. Wavelength Protection

One of the most critical aspects of laser safety glasses is ensuring that they are rated to protect your eyes from the specific wavelengths of the laser you’re working with. Lasers emit light at specific wavelengths, which are typically measured in nanometers (nm).

Operating Wavelength

This is the primary wavelength of the laser you’re working with, and it is the most hazardous to your eyes. It’s vital to select glasses that are rated for this wavelength to ensure adequate protection.

Aiming Beam Wavelength

Some lasers also have a secondary, lower-power aiming beam that operates at a different wavelength. While this beam is typically safer, it can still cause eye damage under certain conditions. If you’re exposed to both an operating and an aiming beam, you’ll need glasses that can protect against both wavelengths.

Multiple Wavelengths

In some work environments, you might be exposed to lasers operating at multiple wavelengths. In these cases, you’ll either need multiple pairs of glasses rated for different wavelengths or custom-made laser safety glasses that cover a broader range of protection.

Always verify the wavelength ratings of your glasses to ensure they align with the specific lasers in your environment.

5. Color Visibility

When wearing laser safety glasses, the lenses can impact your ability to perceive colors accurately. This is because the lenses block specific wavelengths of light, which can alter how you see certain colors.

Visible Light Transmission (VLT%)

The VLT% refers to the amount of light that passes through the lenses, allowing you to see clearly while still being protected from harmful radiation. A higher VLT% generally allows more light through, improving visibility and color perception, which can be especially important in tasks that require color differentiation.

Impact on Color Recognition

Some laser safety glasses can significantly affect your ability to distinguish between colors. This is particularly critical in environments where color accuracy is important, such as in medical or precision manufacturing fields. Selecting glasses with an appropriate VLT% ensures that you can still work effectively without sacrificing safety.

Balancing protection with visibility is key—look for glasses that offer a good VLT% while still providing the necessary laser protection.

Laser-Safety-Glasses-Shop-Now_Blog-Banner_Phillips-Safety_Shorter6
Laser-Safety-Glasses-Shop-Now_Blog-Banner_Phillips-Safety_Shorter6

5. Color Visibility

When wearing laser safety glasses, the lenses can impact your ability to perceive colors accurately. This is because the lenses block specific wavelengths of light, which can alter how you see certain colors.

Visible Light Transmission (VLT%)

The VLT% refers to the amount of light that passes through the lenses, allowing you to see clearly while still being protected from harmful radiation. A higher VLT% generally allows more light through, improving visibility and color perception, which can be especially important in tasks that require color differentiation.

Impact on Color Recognition

Some laser safety glasses can significantly affect your ability to distinguish between colors. This is particularly critical in environments where color accuracy is important, such as in medical or precision manufacturing fields. Selecting glasses with an appropriate VLT% ensures that you can still work effectively without sacrificing safety.

Balancing protection with visibility is key—look for glasses that offer a good VLT% while still providing the necessary laser protection.

Laser-Safety-Glasses-Shop-Now_Blog-Banner_Phillips-Safety_Shorter7

6. Laser Power or Energy

The power or energy output of the laser you work with is another important factor in selecting the right eyewear. Lasers can vary widely in power levels, and the energy they emit determines the level of protection you need.

Pulsed Lasers

If you’re working with pulsed lasers, the repetition rate, pulse duration, and energy per pulse are critical factors in determining the necessary protection level. Higher energy pulses typically require glasses with a higher optical density (OD) to block intense, short bursts of laser light.

Continuous-Wave Lasers

For continuous-wave lasers, the overall power output is more important. Lasers that operate continuously over time may not have the same peak intensity as pulsed lasers, but they can still pose significant eye hazards. You’ll need to match the OD of your glasses to the power level of the laser to ensure full protection.

Understanding the type of laser and its power or energy output will guide you to the correct level of protection.

Final Thoughts on Selecting Laser Safety Glasses

By considering these six key factors you’ll be able to make an informed decision when purchasing laser safety glasses. Each of these elements plays a critical role in ensuring that your eyewear offers optimal protection while allowing you to work comfortably and efficiently.

Phillips_Safety-17001-Matte_Black_with_Green-angleright-lenses_AKP
AKP Laser Safety Glasses 17001
AKP Laser Safety Glasses 17001
LS-BG3-9388-BK_Angle-Right
BG3 Laser Safety Glasses 9388
BG3 Laser Safety Glasses 9388
66-S-SIDE_LENS_LS-KG5+-66-S
KG5+ Laser Safety Glasses 66
KG5+ Laser Safety Glasses 66
LS-YAGEXT-55_Phillips-Safety_angle-right
YAG Laser Safety Goggles 55
YAG Laser Safety Goggles 55

For personalized advice or help selecting the best glasses for your needs, feel free to reach out to our team of experts.

If you still aren’t sure which laser safety glasses are right for you, it’s a good idea to give us a call at 1-866-575-1307 or talk to us through our chat or e-mail us at [email protected]

Our experts will be able to tell you what you need for your application.

SHOP LASER SAFETY GLASSES

CONTACT OUR CUSTOMER SERVICE

  • +1 866 575 1307 | FAX 732 356 7127

M-F | 9am – 6pm EST

design-logo
PRODUCTS
COMPANY
CUSTOMER SUPPORT

STAY INFORMED. SIGN UP FOR THE Phillips Safety NEWSLETTER

Become a Distributor

Volume Discount