Another "staring at reflection" question. Sorry guys

[FutureOne]

Hey, I've been trying to find info on the safest power of a green laser if you look at the reflection from the dot on a matte white surface.

From what I can tell so far, it seems that 50mw is the highest recommended to stare at a diffused reflection with the naked eye.

Yet other sources say up to 500mw is ok to stare at provided a glossy reflection doesn't bounce back at you?

Which is correct?

 

[udanis]

Hey, I've been trying to find info on the safest power of a green laser if you look at the reflection from the dot on a matte white surface.

From what I can tell so far, it seems that 50mw is the highest recommended to stare at a diffused reflection with the naked eye.

Yet other sources say up to 500mw is ok to stare at provided a glossy reflection doesn't bounce back at you?

Which is correct?

It's your eye site you take the gamble.

 

[FutureOne]

It's your eye site you take the gamble.

If it was based on that I woudn't even stare at the dot of <1mw red lasers

 

[Meatball]

Wrong. It depends on many other factors- more than power. You must consider the actual reflectivity of the surface, the irradiation of the dot from 0.1 cm is much great than at 5 cm. The function is also greatly dependent on the distance away that your eyes are from the dot.

So... there's no practical formula good for every situation. So I say,

if > 10mw, wear goggles. If 5mw dot is too bright, wear goggles. If the FDA comes swooping in through your back window, wear goggles.