Rayonnement laser : risques oculaires et normes de protection

Abstract

Laser radiation: ocular risks and safety standards.The risk for biological tissues to be damaged by a laser beam is mainly determined by their optical properties. Laser radiations emitted in ultraviolet and infrared B and C represent a hazard for theanterior segment of the eye. Depending the wavelength, laser radiation is absorbed by the cornea, thelens or both. The lower damage thresholds are reported at the retinal level, in the spectral range of 400to 1 400 nm. The exposure limit values, recommended by laser safety standards, are evaluated withwavelength, exposure duration, pulse repetition frequency and the size of the visual angle subtending thesource. The fast evolution of laser products induces a continuous revision of guidelines. Next revisionof European standard EN 60825-1/A2 will include subnanosecond limit values, changes in the continuouswave exposure limits and a new classification of laser products susceptible to be in agreement with nextANSI and FDA/CDRH laser safety standards.