Laser is dangerous. Laser pointers can cause serious eye damage in children

  • The date: 20.06.2020

Lasers and radiation from them are used by humanity for quite a long time. In addition to the medical environment, such devices have been widely used in industrial industries. Specialists from the field of decorating and creating special effects took them. Now no large-scale show costs without a scene with laser rays.

A little later, such radiation stopped taking only industrial forms and began to meet in everyday life. But not everyone knows how the effect of laser radiation on the human body is reflected in regular and periodic irradiation.

What is laser radiation?

Laser radiation is born on the principle of creating light. In both cases, atoms are used. But in a situation with lasers there are other physical processes, and the effect of an electromagnetic field of an external type can be traced. Because of this, scientists call radiation from lasers forced or stimulated.

In the terminology of physics with laser radiation, electromagnetic waves are called, which are distributed almost in parallel with respect to each other. Because of this, the laser beam is characterized by a sharp orientation. In addition, such a beam has a small angle of dispersion together with a huge intensity of influence on the surface that is irradiated.

The main difference between the laser from the standard incandescent lamp is the spectral range. The lamp is listed by a man-made source of light that emits electromagnetic waves. The highlighting spectrum of the classic lamp is almost 360 degrees.

Impact of laser irradiation on all living things

Contrary to stereotypes, the effect of laser radiation on the human body does not always imply something negative. Due to the ubiquitous use of quantum generators in different life areas, scientists decided to use the possibilities of a narrow-controlled beam in medicine.

During numerous studies, it became clear that laser irradiation has several characteristic properties:

  • Laser damage can be made not only in the process of direct impact on the body from the machine. Even scattered irradiation or reflected rays can cause damage.
  • There is a direct connection between the degree of damage and the main parameters of the electromagnetic wave. Also on the severity of the lesion affects the location of the irradiated fabric.
  • The negative effect when absorbing energy tissues can be expressed in thermal or light impact.

But the sequence during the defeat laser always provides for an identical biological principle:

  • an increase in temperature that is accompanied by a burn;
  • boiling of the interstitial and cell fluids;
  • the formation of a steam creating weighty pressure;
  • the explosion and shock wave, destroying all the fabrics nearby.

Often the incorrectly used laser emitter carries, first of all, the threat to the skin. If the effect was particularly strong, then the skin will look like edema, with traces of numerous hemorrhages. Also on the body there will be large sections of dead cells.

Ensures such irradiation and inner fabrics. But with large-scale internal lesions, the scattered exposure to the rays is not so much as direct or reflected mirror. Such damage will guarantee pathological changes in the functioning of various organism systems.

Skin cover, which suffers most, is the protection of the internal organs of each person. Because of this, he takes most of the negative impact on himself. Depending on the different degrees of lesion on the skin, redness will be manifested or traced necrosis.

The researchers concluded that people with dark skin are less susceptible to deep lesions due to laser irradiation.

Schematically, all burns can be divided into four degrees regardless of pigmentation:

  • I degree. It implies standard epidermis burns.
  • II degree. Includes dermis burns, which is expressed in the formation of the characteristic bubbles of the surface layer of the skin.
  • III degree. Based on the deep burn burns.
  • IV degree. The most dangerous degree that is distinguished by the destruction of the whole skin thickness. The lesion covers the subcutaneous tissue, as well as the layers adjacent to it.

Laser eye lesions

In second place in the unwashed rating of the possible negative influence of the laser on the human body are lesions of the organs of vision. Short laser pulses are capable of increasing time in a short time:

  • retina
  • cornea
  • rainbow shell,
  • crystal.

There are several reasons for such an impact. The main ones are:

  • The inability to react on time. Due to the fact that the pulse duration is not more than 0.1 seconds, the person does not have time to blink. Because of this, the eye remains unprotected.
  • Easy vulnerability. According to its peculiarities, the lens and cornea are considered by themselves by vulnerable bodies.
  • Optical eye system. Due to the focusing of laser radiation on the eye day, the exposure point when the retina is hitched to the vessel is capable of clogging it. Since there are no pain receptors, it will not be possible to detect damage instantly. Only after the scorched territory becomes more, a person notices the absence of a part of the image.

To be faster to navigate with potential defeat, experts advise listening to such symptoms:

  • central Spasms,
  • eNGLISH OF AGE,
  • pain
  • retid hemorrhage,
  • lounge.

Danger adds the fact that the laser damaged by the laser is losing the opportunity to recover. Since the intensity of irradiation affecting the organs of vision is lower than the identical threshold for the skin, the doctors call for caution.

Infrared lasers of different types, as well as devices that generate radiation with a capacity of over 5 MW should beware. The rule is applied to the technique, outstanding the visible spectrum rays.

The relationship between the laser wave and its scope

Each of the areas of application of laser radiation is focused on a strictly defined wavelength.

This indicator is directly dependent on nature. Rather, from the electronic structure of the working fluid. This means that the environment is responsible for the wavelength, where its radiation is generated.

There are different types of solid-state and gas lasers in the world. The rays involved must belong to one of the three most common types:

  • visible,
  • uV,
  • infrared.

At the same time, the operating radiation range may vary from 180 nm to 30 MA.

Features of the influence of the laser on the human body are based on the wavelength. So, for example, a person reacts faster to a green laser than red. The latter does not differ in safety for all living things. The reason lies in the fact that our vision is almost 30 times the beam perceives green than red.

How to protect yourself from the laser?

In most cases, the protection against laser radiation is needed to people whose work is closely related to its continuous use. If an enterprise has on its balance sheet any type of quantum generator, then its leaders will definitely develop their employees.

Experts have developed a separate summary of the rules of behavior and security that will protect the employee from the possible consequences of radiation. The main rule is the presence of personal protective equipment. Moreover, such agents can differ dramatically depending on the predicted degree of danger.

In total, the international classification provides division into four hazard classes. The appropriate label must specify the manufacturer. Only the first class is considered relatively safe even for organs of vision.

To the second class belongs to the emission of direct type that affect the organs of the eyes. Also, a mirror reflection is also ranked.

Much more dangerous radiation of the third class. His direct impact threatens his eyes. No less dangerously reflected radiation of diffuse type at a distance of 10 cm from the surface. Skin lesions will occur not only with direct exposure, but also with a mirror reflected.

With the fourth grade, skin suffers and eyes with various impact formats.

The collective protective measures in production are counted:

  • special housings,
  • protective screens
  • filters,
  • innovative tracking methods,
  • alarm,
  • lock.

Of the relatively primitive, but effective ways, the zone fencing is distinguished where irradiation is made. This will protect workers from accidental exposure by negligence.

Also on particularly dangerous enterprises be sure to use the means of individual protection of employees. They imply a special set of workwear. Do not do during operation and without wearing points providing for a protective coating.

Laser gadgets and their radiation

Many people do not suspect how serious the consequences of the uncontrolled exploitation of self-made devices with the laser principle can be. It concerns this homemade designs like laser:

  • lamps,
  • pointers
  • flashlights.

This is especially true of high school students who seek to conduct a number of experiments, without having the idea of \u200b\u200bsafety rules when designing them.

Use home production lasers in rooms where people are present are unacceptable. It is also possible to direct the rays on the glass, metal buckles and other items that can give reflections.

Even if the beam is characterized by a small intensity, it can lead to tragedy. If you bring the driver's eye a laser during an active movement, then it may be blind and not cope with the control.

Under no circumstances should not look into the lens of the laser radiation source. Separately, it is worth considering that the glasses for working with a laser should be calculated on the wavelength that the selected devices will generate.

To prevent a serious tragedy of the doctor asked to listen to these recommendations and should always follow them.

Ideally smooth skin. Only in advertising a woman shaves, removes and pulls the hairs with a smile on his face, because he knows exactly - about unnecessary vegetation you can forget for months. In reality, no procedure gives a long effect. None other than laser hair removal. But is it worth throwing out all the razors and sign up for the reception to the cosmetologist? Is there any harm from laser epilation or marketers specially distributed this myth? Let's deal with.

Three questions about the need for laser hair removal

Remember how to get rid of unnecessary and increasing herbs. She is burned, after which it is not growing for a long time. The principle of laser hair removal is very similar to this example. A beam of a varietary thermal and light orientation, like a magnet, attracts to the hair follicle, and breaks it. Literally - burns out.

In this regard, the question arises - is it safe for the body?

Question 1. Is it possible to live without hair?

Did you ever think that you need hair? It is unlikely to spoil the aesthetics and add problems.

Hair on the body play the role of thermoregulation. Note, in the cold they delay heat, and in the heat help to remove moisture out of the body and cool the skin. In summer, the hairs in their arms and legs can also be a protective barrier from small insects.

And what about hair on intimate places and in the area of \u200b\u200bthe armpits? Their absence on the contrary does not give to accumulate to the unpleasant odor and bacteria. It turns out, smooth skin is good for health?

Scientists have proven that it is glands located on these areas, when heated, the smell is released, capable of attracting the opposite sex. This does not mean that now you can not wash the week, and seduce the men with the natural aroma of the body. But the net skin heated by hairs will become a good replacement of perfume with pheromones.




Given these properties, does it make sense to remove hair completely and forever?

Question 2. The reaction of the body for the absence of hair

The second question is inextricably linked first. If the hair is not a useless consequence of evolution, how does the body respond to their absence?

You probably noticed that the side effect of receiving hormonal means is to increase weight and hair. The lack of hair together with follicles acts in the same direction. The body, trying to restore the usual state, begins to generate excessive amounts of hormones.




Hair can start growing in unexpected places

arrow_left. Hair can start growing in unexpected places

The result can be not only time spent on laser hair removal, but also a disruption of the menstrual cycle and the appearance of overweight. People with a violation of a hormonal background must seriously think about the possible consequences of the procedure.

Question 3. Is there a laser safe?

Modern medicine went far ahead. The laser is used to restore vision, serious operations and even removal of scars and unwanted tattoos. Maybe laser hair removal, on the contrary, is useful?




The use of a laser with surgery is reduced to one to prevent blood loss. Laser hair removal does not pursue such purposes. In addition, telling about the miraculous properties of the laser, no one mentions that he is contraindicated in the oncology. Any radiation can provoke further tumor growth.

Contraindications to the procedure

If you realize that the lack of hair on the body is not a problem, but its decision, and the stories about hormonal failure you do not scare you, then you will be able to make any obstacles to the smooth skin.

Consult with your doctor if you can undergo a laser epilation procedure if you have:

    Infectious and colds. Laser hair removal can provoke the spread of infection by the body. Treatment of cold will drag out for another few days. It is especially necessary to be careful during the exacerbation of herpes. During this period, it is better to refuse any beauty treatments at all.

    Allergy. The reaction to laser hair removal is unpredictable. It is possible that the response of the body will be rashes, swelling and itching. Together with the already existing allergy, the case can reach the swelling of Quincke.

    Phlebeurysm. Laser epilation adversely affects the thinned veins, injures the vessels and provokes damage to capillaries. There is also an opinion that any hairs pulling can lead to varicose development.

    Skin diseases, like eczema and psoriasis. Laser epilation is completely contraindicated during the exacerbation of the disease.

    Diabetes. In diabetes mellitus, tissue regeneration is broken, and it means that hair removal can seriously damage the skin.

    Pregnancy and feeding. The body's reaction to the impact of the laser beam during pregnancy is not investigated. So, there is no unambiguous opinion of doctors, it is possible to get rid of unwanted vegetation in this way or not. It is better to refrain for several months and remember less efficient, but safe methods.

Fully contraindicated

Laser hair removal is completely contraindicated in the following diseases:

  • oncology
  • herpes
  • sugar diabetes of some forms and types

Laser epilation should also be abandoned in the presence of individual intolerance.

It is only dark hair for a laser for a laser, so if you have very bright or gray hairs on your body, you should not do hair removal. There will be no harmful effect, smoothly as useful.

Destruction of myths

There are pleasant news. Some reasoning about the dangers of laser hair removal are inflated.

Myth 1. No tan before epilation

There are many disputes about the benefits and harm of the tan, especially if it is obtained by artificially. If you were just going to go sunbath, then read - the truth is or fiction.




On the hair removal procedure, tanned skin cannot affect. The myth went out of those times when laser hair removal only started its formation using the principle of selective photothermolysis. And he really had a detrimental effect on tanned skin. Modern technologies allow you to not pay attention to it.

Myth 2. Domestic organs are damaged

Forget the terrible stories about damage to the internal organs or their irradiation during the procedure. The ray's spectrum is so small that the hair follicle will not leave anywhere. So, will not penetrate the skin.

Myth 3. Provocation oncology

Hair removal, even such radical, can not provoke cancer. This requires a whole range of conditions. But it is quite realistic to develop a brewing malignant formation. But the radio frequency devices, harmful food and even biting lips have such a feature.

Undoubtedly, the procedure must be consulted with a specialist and undergo a survey.

Myth 4. Skin burn provocation

The laser does not burn the skin itself, and the hair follicle, splitting the main staining substance - melanin. The remaining areas of the skin have it in minor quantities, and therefore the laser does not see them. Even if during the procedure you will feel warm, it will be insufficient in order to burn the skin.




The consequences of Shugaring, which is considered less dangerous

arrow_left. The consequences of Shugaring, which is considered less dangerous

Myth 5. Formed ingrown hairs and scars

With home removal of hair, such a trouble is no exception, since the epidermis is injured. The laser affects the hair itself without disturbing the structure of the skin, and therefore eliminates the problem of rustling.

Conclusion

Before any cosmetic procedure, you need to consult a doctor. To establish susceptibility of the skin to the laser, the absence of allergic reactions, oncological and dermatological diseases. Accounting for these features will help during the procedure for medical testimony or pampering themselves with smooth skin without harm to health.

Technologies are developing simply incredible pace. A few decades ago, the laser seemed fantastic, and today the laser pointer can be literally for a penny to buy in a street kiosk.

But while the lasers are increasingly entering everyday life, it is worth remembering that the careless treatment of them is fraught with serious trouble. In this review from the dangers that lasers carry.

1. Embodied and burned

The doctor in the hospital of the Tokyo Medical University conducted an operation on the cervix of a 30-year-old patient, when she suddenly emptied gases. In the ray of the laser, Gaza ignored, as a result of which surgical drapery was caught fire, and then the fire quickly spread to the waist and feet of a woman. The Committee investigated the incident and concluded that all the equipment was properly and was used properly, an accident just occurred.

2. Five people per day

In the center of laser surgery and the treatment of Cataract West (West Springfield, Massachusetts), five patients suffered from severe eye injury when anesthesia injection in front of the laser surgery of the eye. On the first day of his work, Dr. Tsai Chiu managed to harm the unfortunate patients. The management of the West Center stated that he either lied about his level of professionality, or did not have proper knowledge of equipment. Chiu has passed since then, and he was banned from practicing medicine in the United States.

3. Accident on the road

A woman from Albany, Oregon, brought her husband to work when the laser light suddenly blinded her. Miranda Senthers was temporarily blinded by a laser beam and crashed into a bump. One of the drivers shone into the eyes of another laser pointer. As a result, it led to several accidents on the highway.

4. up to five millivatts!

After increasing the number of accidents of aircraft and helicopters associated with laser pointers, the United Kingdom decided to deal with dangerous devices. In most countries, lasers up to five million are considered safe. However, despite all the British bans, some high-performance class 3 lasers are freely sold on the Internet. Because of these devices, more than 150 eye injuries have already been registered.

5. US Air Force is knocked down.

In June 2017, the US Army successfully tests for laser guns installed on Apache helicopters. According to the manufacturer Raytheon, it was for the first time when a fully integrated laser system on board the aircraft successfully captured the goals and shot them in a wide range of flight modes, height and speed. The weapon has a lesion range of about 1.5 km, silent and invisible for people. They are also extremely accurate. The army plans to use similar lasers to protect against any future unmanned attacks.

6. Pursuit of football player

In 2016, in Mexico City, during the NFL International Match between Houston Texans (USA) and Oakland Raiders (New Zealand), the defender of Texans Brock Savalera pursued some kind of negligent fan. Every time the calaveler received the ball, one of the audience shone him in her face with a green laser pointer so that the player would not see where to run.

7. Viability of BP cars

Despite millions of dollars spent on the development of unmanned cars, one of the security researchers was able to ask serious questions about their vitality in the near future. The scientist was able to intervene in the laser sensors of an unmanned car, simply leaving them with a cheap laser pointer. The car system found it a "invisible obstacle" and slowed down the car before his complete stop.

8. Traumatic liposuction

During the laser liposuction procedure, one of the patients received strong burns, and after that the leadership of the clinic tried to dissuade her from treatment. Dr. Muruga Raj instead told her that everything is in order, with a burn nothing needs to be done, but simply smear the affected cream. As a result, it came to court.

9. Laser pointer and helicopter

The 30-year-old Connor Brown found out about it only when he was charged. A police helicopter was looking for a man who arranged a riot in the park when Brown sent a laser pointer beam to him to the cab. Both crew members were blinded, and the mission had to interrupt to deliver police officers to the hospital. Brown eventually called his act "a terrible mistake, which is not justified."

10. Elander fingers

Australian wanted to reduce some tattoos from the finger joints, but everything ended with strong burns. The doctor said that he would need from ten to twelve sessions of laser surgery worth $ 170 to remove the inscription "Live Free" from the fingers, but an anonymous patient man began to ask questions after almost 20 sessions did not give the desired results. The doctor tried to accelerate the course of events slightly and put the laser car the largest power. As a result, the fingers walked 3 mm.

A new study, which is told on the HEALTHDAY Internet Edition pages, has shown that laser pointers may look harmless, but when children play with them, it can end up with fuzzy vision, blind spots or permanent vision loss. The report on this study was published on September 1, 2016 in the journal "Pediatric" (Pediatrics).

Laser pointers are dangerous, but too available for purchase

In a new study, cases of four children aged from nine to 16 years old were studied in detail, whose unreasonable jokes with laser pointers caused traumatic damage to the retina (photosensitive fabric, which is on the back of the eye and is essential for clear visibility).

The author of the research Dr. David Almeida (David Almeida), an ophthalmologist engaged in private practice in Minneapolis, says that cases of eye damage to the light from laser pointer occur more and more. Earlier it was believed that this happens in one case by a million and that, probably, this is such a rare and unusual reaction, but as Dr. Almeida notes, it is never a reaction.

The study states that the problem of laser pointers can be considered part of the problem, which, as a rule, are sold in stationery stores and online stores.

Previous studies have shown that a significant percentage of red and green laser pointers are labeled as having an output power from one to five million, which is supposedly safe for the eyes. But during the study it was found that these devices have an output power of more than five million.

Charlesvikoff (Charles Wykoff), doctor of medical sciences, doctor of philosophy, Deputy Head of the Department of Ophthalmology at the Institute of Eye Briton at the Houston Methodist Hospita, says that the availability of laser pointers increases, and now they are easy to order online that complicates the ability to control.

Dr. Wickoff did not participate in a new study, but in his own practice he saw two cases of damage to the retina with a laser pointer. He notes that no one knows exactly what power has a purchased device.

In a new study, Dr. Almeida studied in detail the cases of four boys, whose vision was damaged when they looked straightforwards: either directly on the beam, emanating from the laser pointer, or directly to the beam reflected from the mirror. The resulting damage to the retina caused sharp, can be said, dramatic symptoms. As the expert explains, these symptoms include blurred, distorted vision or even a loss of central vision.

Dr. Almeida, who treated these four children for two years of his practice, says that when it comes to the retina, everything decides the place in which the beam hit from the laser pointer. If the laser strikes the eye at an angle, you can even notice anything, since everything will pass completely asymptomatic. But if the laser beam is striking the central part of the eye, you can lose sight immediately and never recover.

Dr. Almeida and Dr. Wickoff note that the options for treating damage to the retina resulting from the beam of laser pointer, very little is known. In the case of the complications following the injury, surgical intervention may be required, but in most cases it can only be monitored by observing.

Dr. Vikoff says that some ophthalmologists can assign corticosteroid patients to reduce eye inflammation, but due to lack of research that would be conducted with the participation of people, this option is considered controversial.

Three of the four children who participated in the study of Dr. Almeida suffered from the potentially irreversible loss of vision. The doctor calls on adults, such as medical workers, teachers and parents, tell children about the danger of laser pointers and impede or limit their use.

When marking laser pointers, you need to indicate that they are dangerous for the eyes.

Dr. Almeida says it is necessary to take into account the fact that laser pointers in case of improper use can lead to a serious, constant loss of vision. He also notes that the legislative regulation of the use of pointers is likely to still go beyond the scope of reasonable, but, given the number of injuries, it can be said that these devices are a serious and preventing public health problem.

Dr. Wicoff adds that it is impossible to look directly on the beam emanating from the laser pointer, it is impossible to direct it into my eyes and into the eyes of other people. In fact, after injury was obtained, very little can be done. He also notes that laser pointers need to be labeled correctly so that consumers can avoid problems that may arise due to their improper operation and due to the underestimation of their potential danger. We certainly need to specify that no laser pointer may not be safe for the eyes.

According to Healthday

Laser is a very dangerous thing. Fabrics and organs that are usually susceptible to laser irradiation are eye and skin. There are three main types of damage to tissues caused by laser irradiation. These are thermal effects, photochemical effects, as well as acoustic transition effects (only eyes are subject to).

  • Thermal effects may occur at any wavelength and are a consequence of radiation or light impact on the cooling potential of tissue blood flow.
  • In the air, photochemical effects occur between 200 and 400 nm and ultraviolet, as well as between 400 to 470 nm of purple wavelengths. Photochemical effects are associated with duration and also the frequency of repetition of radiation.
  • Acoustic transitional effects associated with the duration of the pulse may occur in a short period of pulses (up to 1 ms), depending on the specific length of the laser wave. The acoustic effect of transitional effects is poorly studied, but it can cause damage to the retina, which is excellent from the thermal trauma of the retina.

Potential harm to iron

Potential places of eye damage (see Fig. 1) are directly related to the wavelength of laser radiation. Impact of laser eye radiation:

  • Wavelengths are shorter than 300 nm or more than 1400 nm, affect the cornea
  • The wavelengths between 300 and 400 nm, affect the watery moisture, the iris, crystal and the vitreous body.
  • The wavelengths from 400 nm and 1400 nm are directed to the retina.

NOTE: The harm of the retinal laser can be very large due to the focal increase (optical amplification) from the eye, which is approximately 105. This means that radiation from 1 MW / cm2 through the eye will be effectively increased to 100 MW / cm2 when it reaches the retina .

With thermal burn burns, the cooling function of the retinal vessels of the eye is broken. As a result of the damaging effects of the thermal factor, hemorrhages may occur in the vitreous body due to damage to the blood vessels.

Although the retina can recover from minor damage, the main injuries of the yellow spot of the retina can lead to a temporary or constant loss of visual acuity or to full blindness. Photochemical injuries of the cornea by ultraviolet irradiation can lead to photocratoconjunctivitis (often referred to as welders or snowy blindness). This painful states can last a few days with very extinguishing pains. Long-term ultraviolet irradiation can lead to the formation of cataracts.

The duration of exposure also affects the injury. For example, if the laser of visible wavelengths (400 to 700 nm), the power of the beam of which is less than 1.0 MW, and the exposure time is less than 0.25 seconds (the time for which the person closes the eye), there will be no damage to the retina. Class 1, 2a and 2 lasers fall under this category and, as a rule, cannot harm the retina. Unfortunately, with a direct or reflected Laser enclosure of class 3a, 3b, or 4, and diffuse reflections of lasers above grade 4 can cause damage before a person can reflectically close the eyes.

For pulse lasers, pulse duration also affects potential harm to the eyes. The pulses of less than 1 ms in retina hit may cause acoustic transition effects, which leads to significant damage and bleeding in addition to expected thermal damage. Many impulse lasers currently have a pulse time of less than 1 picoseconds.

The ANSI standard defines the maximum permissible power (MDM) of the eye laser impact without any consequences (under the influence of specific conditions). If MDM is exceeded, the probability of eye damage increases sharply.

The first laser security rule: Neither under no circumstances look at the eyes on the laser beam!

If you can prevent the laser beam hit and its eye reflections, you can avoid painful and, possibly blinding injuries.
Potential skin harm.

The leather injuries from the lasers first of all are divided into two categories: thermal injuries (burns) from the acute effects of powerful laser rays and photochemical induced damage from the chronic effects of scattered ultraviolet laser radiation.

  • The heat injury may occur as a result of direct contact with the beam or its mirror reflection. These injuries, though painful, but, as a rule, are not serious and, usually, easily prevented with proper control over the laser beam.
  • Photochemical damage can occur over time from ultraviolet irradiation of straight light, mirror reflections, or even diffuse reflection.

The effect may be insignificant but there may be serious burns, and the long-term exposure can contribute to the formation of skin cancer. Good protective glasses and clothing can be needed to protect the skin and eyes.

Safety when working with a laser

When working with lasers, you must have glasses protecting from laser radiation. Do you really need these special glasses so much? Many novice laser archives and buyers of laser pointers are asked as a question. Yes, the safety glasses are needed even for the 15MW laser, since without them their eyes are tired. Glasses are about 1600 rubles apiece, but I think you understand that your eyes are much more expensive than you pay for points. To protect the eyes, you can not use sunglasses!

The same will be with your eyes ...
The degree of protection of glasses from laser radiation is measured in OD. What does OD denotes? OD means Optical Density - optical density. Optical density shows how many times the glasses weaken the light. The unit means "10 times." Accordingly, "optical density 3" means a weakening of 1000 times, and 6 - in a million. The correct optical density for the visible laser is so that after points from the direct laser hitting the power remained, corresponding to class II (maximum somewhere 1 MW). For invisible - the more, the better.
From the red and some infrared lasers protect the domestic glasses of the ZN-22 C3-C22 brand. They look like a welder glasses, but have blue glasses. You can sometimes buy them in the shops "Medtehnika", cost about 700 rubles. The disadvantage is rubber, heavy and ugly. If you are lucky, you can buy other domestic glasses from lasers. But they are rare on sale.
On our website, in the Links section, you can find many addresses of shopping laser accessories including safety glasses.