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Re: Took 630mw reflected to the eye. Always be careful around mirrors.

Could have been SO much worse.
Glad it was peripheral vision bro, still really sucks though.
Could happen to any one of us that likes to look at a beam.
Not to take any seriousness away from what happened but I got a chuckle out of the mental image .
Quiet area, distant noises dampened by the fog, only the sound of the crickets calling their lonely song in a nearby pond....
BEEEEP!!!
:crackup:

Re: Took 630mw reflected to the eye. Always be careful around mirrors.

AFAIK temporary blindspots are gray and fuzzy, while permanent blindspots are solid black.. You were extremely lucky that it didn't hit you in the center of your vision, I had a temporary blindspot right in the center for a week or so some years ago. It wasn't fun. :/

Re: Took 630mw reflected to the eye. Always be careful around mirrors.

AUTO XX said:

Could have been SO much worse.
Glad it was peripheral vision bro, still really sucks though.
Could happen to any one of us that likes to look at a beam.
Not to take any seriousness away from what happened but I got a chuckle out of the mental image .
Quiet area, distant noises dampened by the fog, only the sound of the crickets calling their lonely song in a nearby pond....
BEEEEP!!!
:crackup:

Click to expand...

Hahaha, thats about right.

Re: Took 630mw reflected to the eye. Always be careful around mirrors.

I hope you still went to a doctor, 630mW is a lot, and within 24h a lot of futher damage can be prevented. So if you get hit, always see a doctor, leaving as it is may cause more damage that could have been prevented.

Re: Took 630mw reflected to the eye. Always be careful around mirrors.

Please see a doctor. Your brain has had enough time to "ignore" or blot out any severe blind spots. You don't want any "otherwise treatable" damage to become permanent!

.. and WHY were you shining a class 4 laser out of your car window.... and while driving???

More needs to be said here than just, "Well I'd better be more careful next time".

No mention of goggles from anyone else here... ugh! Shame!

Re: Took 630mw reflected to the eye. Always be careful around mirrors.

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Re: Took 630mw reflected to the eye. Always be careful around mirrors.

Very scary, and you need not take chances to see the beam without goggles. I would be more cautious in the future to say the least.

Re: Took 630mw reflected to the eye. Always be careful around mirrors.

FarewellToKings said:

I wasnt driving! I pulled over to play with it in the fog.

As far as googles go, this is my philosophy: The reason I enjoy lasers is because they project brilliant beams of colorful light. Goggles completely defeat the main reason why I love them. Do I own goggles? Of course. Do I use goggles while burning things, or shining them on reflective objects? Of course. Do I use goggles while simply shining them on a wall for a few moments or around my living room? Not usually. Or while pointing it around outside at night? Of course not. Lasers carry a certain amount of risk to them, and you are always exposed to this risk if you wish to fully enjoy them.

As far as medical help goes, my dad is a doctor, and he told me not to worry about it, as there isnt really anything that actually helps... and that it was located in a spot that would never really cause any visual problems anyway. All they would do is confirm the damage.

Click to expand...

Given the situation, it would have been a better idea to get out of the car first.
The laser could have easily been a direct hit to you or a passing vehicle.

Many have said to treat ones laser with the respect you would a loaded gun.
This has been the most straight to the point description ive heard..
Especially if you value not only your sight, but others as well.

In the very moment you were startled, both your actions and a class 4
laser were out of your control...

Perhaps in the future it wouldn't be such a bad idea to look around
before you press the button..


In regard to treatment, there is a critical window of time
that injury can be helped. Did you wait the full 2 weeks to tell
your father?

Re: Took 630mw reflected to the eye. Always be careful around mirrors.

FarewellToKings, despite the pages of advice you are likely to cop for posting your experience, thanks for sharing. Should I ever have an accident I think it would help in the very early stages to know of the outcomes of other accidents.

Re: Took 630mw reflected to the eye. Always be careful around mirrors.

There ARE treatments that can be done to help lessen the effects of the damage done. Letting those opportunities go by may be something you regret later on..

It seems you either completely understand the risk of using a class 4 laser, and you choose to live on the "wild side", or you don't really understand the risk at all.

You're not getting the point, you SHOULD be seeing a nasty blind spot. You SHOULD be thankful for your stroke of luck, and you SHOULD be doing something to learn from your mistake so that it doesn't EVER happen again.

That's what a responsible hobbyiest in your shoes would do.

Just consider what you can do to change some of your habits.

Re: Took 630mw reflected to the eye. Always be careful around mirrors.

hope his father is an eye-doctor, not only a doctor..

Re: Took 630mw reflected to the eye. Always be careful around mirrors.

These are accidents that laser safety eyewear is supposed to prevent. It's not called an accident for no reason.

Re: Took 630mw reflected to the eye. Always be careful around mirrors.

These are accidents that laser safety eyewear is supposed to prevent. It's not called an accident for no reason.

Click to expand...

Exactly, and even the most laser experienced person here in LPF cannot foresee all the possibilities of an accident to occur.

Cheers

Re: Took 630mw reflected to the eye. Always be careful around mirrors.

And for professionals there's usually a complete safety protocol, because a single safety measure failing should not end in disaster.

Re: Took 630mw reflected to the eye. Always be careful around mirrors.

I too think you should see a doctor who specializes eye injuries, and please post the good news here, assuming there is good news.
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I also recommend that everyone keep thier eyeware on until and when they are totally certain they are out of any 'danger zones'. That may have not helped in this particular case but it can in many others. I use mine and only peek over them when I and sure I will stay safe.

I have small laser/music parties in my home and I provide eyeware for all and insist that they be worn at all tiimes in my laser room, except when they are seated and are out of the line of fire. I must often remind them of 'My lasers/My rules' but so far I have never had a friend get zapped.

At LEMS they have certain areas that are 'out of bounds' and all who attend are required to sign a witnessed waiver of responsiblity before entering the venue. It is not unlike goting to a shooting range-- you CANNOT walk in front of the firing line and at certain times all guns must be totally unloaded and safe. You are not even allowed to handle your weapons when people are in front of the line. NO EXCEPTIONS.

I am sure many will agree with me that hearing of such a injury , even a temporary one, is a very terrible thing to hear if the diode/laser came from them. I know I sure would.

SAFETY FIRST GUYS- WE ONLY GET ONE SET OF EYES!!!!


HAKZAW