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ArcticMyst Security by Avery

Did this laser damage my eyes?

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Jul 13, 2012
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At work I looked directly into a laser that was being calibrated. No goggles. It was a solid state Nd:YV04, wavelength 354.7 nm. It is a class IV when being worked on, which it was. Boss said it was no big deal, but I now have chronic headaches, and chronic dry eye. I mean, my eyes feel like they are
going to burst! I don't know anything about lasers and was hoping someone could direct me to some help. I have been to several opthamalogists, but I don't think they have much experience with this sort of laser exposure. It's been 4 months and my eyes are so dry. I now have to put eye drops in all the time, and yet my boss said there was no danger? I would love to believe that, but I never had eye problems before.
 





joeyss

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UV is very bad for your eye. It's likely you may have caused some tissue damage , but only a specialist can confirm this. Also you do realize your boss can very well be liable for any damages right? He sounds like a total idiot.
 

joeyss

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Exposure at causes
315–400 nm (UV-A) photochemical cataract (clouding of the eye lens)
 
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Jul 13, 2012
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Thanks Joeyss. I live in OH and don't have a clue as to where to find a specialist. I am going to my current Opthamologist again tomorrow. I told the Doctor that I should be a case-study for laser exposure.
I am worried I will never have normal eyes again. I have to wear sunglasses in the movie theatre for Petes sake (when I feel up to going out).
How would I go about finding a "specialist"?
 
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Mar 27, 2011
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If you've been to several opthamologists, and none of them saw any problems, chances are you're OK.

If you're still worried though, ask one of them to direct you to specialists who can examine your cornea, and retina.

It is also very much a possibility that the headaches, and dry eyes are a symptom of something else. For example high blood pressure, and staring at a computer monitor hours on end. (These my own symptoms, and I do have a headache, as well as dry eyes.)
 
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Thank you for your suggestion. My eye doctor has referred me to a specialist, even though he thinks it is just something I have to live with. Sorry doc, no can do. There is something w-r-o-n-g.
InfinitusEquitas: You think this may be BP related? If my eye problems are not laser related, that would be great news. But something is going on and I need to know what it is so I can fix it.
I just wish there was something in writing saying being exposed to a laser for 5-10 seconds is harmless. I keep reading about photochemical damage. Well, how can a doctor test for that? Tissue damage, how is that determined?
 
Joined
Mar 27, 2011
Messages
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Well, headaches could be a symptom or cause of headaches.

As for dry/itchy/tired eyes, it could be a combination of factors, possibly even just getting older.

For example I remember when I was in high school, I never had dry, tired eyes. Now I do... and I'm only 27 :(

Also personally I developed bad eye allergies past two years.

So go to the specialists, see what they can tell you... most likely not much. After that, just get regular eye exams.
 




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