Lasers & Eyes

[Curiously_Coherent]

Another week and still no improvement on my eyes.
It feels like this... imagine wearing glasses with a big smudge on them. you can't really see the smudge but it makes it difficult to focus and see things clearly. It feels like something is in the way of my vision but I can't see what it is...

any suggestions?

HELP!

:'(

Man that sucks... I'm not sure eyes can heal if you've really damaged them.

The last time I went to get my eyes checked they offered to take a photo of my retinas to check for any degradation. (Just standard up-selling to pay for what is basically a digital camera on macro...) Maybe you can visit an eye doctor and have him check if you've burned your retinas (bad) or just singed it (might still heal). You really need professional help, and since losing eyesight will be a life-altering and career-limiting disability, I would not wait. Borrow money if you have to and get to an Opthamologist before you lose your eyesight even more.

Good luck and let us know what he says. Perhaps your experience can serve as an example of the dangers of this hobby to others.

CC

 

[Razako]

Another week and still no improvement on my eyes.
It feels like this... imagine wearing glasses with a big smudge on them. you can't really see the smudge but it makes it difficult to focus and see things clearly. It feels like something is in the way of my vision but I can't see what it is...

any suggestions?

HELP!

:'(

Were you using it to burn stuff with out goggles or something? I really don't see how you could damage your eyes so badly without looking right at the dot on a close object. I suppose looking at the dot on white walls from 20 feet back could also harm your eyes when using a 175+mw green. You also might have gotten hit by a strong reflection.

 

[supernova]

Another week and still no improvement on my eyes.
It feels like this... imagine wearing glasses with a big smudge on them. you can't really see the smudge but it makes it difficult to focus and see things clearly. It feels like something is in the way of my vision but I can't see what it is...

any suggestions?

HELP!

:'(

I am sorry to hear your vision is still affected I hope in time it restores to what it used to be. I understand the "haze" effect you describe as any really intense light can cause such impairments, Even welding and brazing processes can cause that effect. In regards to glasses and not seeing the beam,,, thats true, but if your indoors the reflective surfaces and their close proximity are reason enough to wear glasses. As to viewing the beam, outdoors is your best bet for such activity. I am not sure about your neighbors but most people shouldn't have issue with a laser pointing at the sky, in general. Pointing it at ground objects may arouse more attention in neighborhoods then folks will feel is harmless.

I really hope your vision problem is temporary and I wish you a full recovery. I agree with the masses and suggest you visit a eye doctor, not an eyeglass doctor, and get the advice of a professional.

I wish you all the best,
SN

 

[cbrian4]

I don't know, today I have been having trouble focusing, and I see a lot of "noise" all the time...
maybe I did screw up my vision, maybe it's a blessing my x150 broke...

hmmm

maybe I am just being over sensitive...

How did your X150 Break?

 

[hawks1282]

Sorry to hear what happened, I really hope your vision clears up.

 

[Caligvla]

[quote author=Caligvla link=1203217845/0#13 date=1204401952]Another week and still no improvement on my eyes.
It feels like this... imagine wearing glasses with a big smudge on them. you can't really see the smudge but it makes it difficult to focus and see things clearly. It feels like something is in the way of my vision but I can't see what it is...

any suggestions?

HELP!

:'(

Were you using it to burn stuff with out goggles or something? I really don't see how you could damage your eyes so badly without looking right at the dot on a close object. I suppose looking at the dot on white walls from 20 feet back could also harm your eyes when using a 175+mw green. You also might have gotten hit by a strong reflection.[/quote]

I have a 150mw, I was using to burn matchs without glasses and yes I was looking at the dot on the wall less than 10ft away...
If I damaged my eyes, that's it isnt it? it isnt reverseable correct?

 

[Caligvla]

[quote author=Caligvla link=1203217845/0#12 date=1203852667]I don't know, today I have been having trouble focusing, and I see a lot of "noise" all the time...
maybe I did screw up my vision, maybe it's a blessing my x150 broke...

hmmm

maybe I am just being over sensitive...

How did your X150 Break?[/quote]

the lens cracked

 

[Razako]

[quote author=Razako link=1203217845/15#17 date=1204407716][quote author=Caligvla link=1203217845/0#13 date=1204401952]Another week and still no improvement on my eyes.
It feels like this... imagine wearing glasses with a big smudge on them. you can't really see the smudge but it makes it difficult to focus and see things clearly. It feels like something is in the way of my vision but I can't see what it is...

any suggestions?

HELP!

:'(

Were you using it to burn stuff with out goggles or something? I really don't see how you could damage your eyes so badly without looking right at the dot on a close object. I suppose looking at the dot on white walls from 20 feet back could also harm your eyes when using a 175+mw green. You also might have gotten hit by a strong reflection.[/quote]

I have a 150mw, I was using to burn matchs without glasses and yes I was looking at the dot on the wall less than 10ft away...
If I damaged my eyes, that's it isnt it? it isnt reverseable correct?[/quote]
Sorry to say this but if thats what you were doing with it then you probably did some lasting damage to your eyes :/ 150mw lasers really aren't meant for pointing around the house without goggles and looking at the dot up close while burning=ouch. If you wanted to point it around the house and see the beam you should of gotten a dx true 30 for $25. You can get a nice green beam from a dx30 without worrying about frying your eyes.

I have a 300mw green and the only time I use it without goggles is when I'm outside and even then I don't aim it at close objects/anything reflective like parked cars.

 

[goldfingerfif]

I put on welding glasses and looked into my DX200. After I got a spot in my eye that didn't go away after a few days I arranged to sue the company that made the glasses. I then found out when I was notified by them it only stops UV light not IR as that's not given off by welding. Bad idea I guess.....



I was just kidding but that's something that almost happened with my brother until I caught him with a welding mask and he said he was going to look into the beam and I explained the dangers. He thought that it would have been safe I explained welding gives off UV-C which is what ruins your eyes not IR or NIR, I told him maybe to look at the dot it would be ok to do but not into the laser.

Anyone know if it is ok to use welding glasses to view the dot while lighting matches or burning things? Say for 650nm, 532nm, or 808nm?

 

[Razako]

I put on welding glasses and looked into my DX200. After I got a spot in my eye that didn't go away after a few days I arranged to sue the company that made the glasses. I then found out when I was notified by them it only stops UV light not IR as that's not given off by welding. Bad idea I guess.....



I was just kidding but that's something that almost happened with my brother until I caught him with a welding mask and he said he was going to look into the beam and I explained the dangers. He thought that it would have been safe I explained welding gives off UV-C which is what ruins your eyes not IR or NIR, I told him maybe to look at the dot it would be ok to do but not into the laser.

Anyone know if it is ok to use welding glasses to view the dot while lighting matches or burning things? Say for 650nm, 532nm, or 808nm?

Welding glasses=no.....just no...

 

[goldfingerfif]

[quote author=goldfingerfif link=1203217845/15#24 date=1204555527]I put on welding glasses and looked into my DX200.  After I got a spot in my eye that didn't go away after a few days I arranged to sue the company that made the glasses. I then found out when I was notified by them it only stops UV light not IR as that's not given off by welding.  Bad idea I guess.....



I was just kidding but that's something that almost happened with my brother until I caught him with a welding mask and he said he was going to look into the beam and I explained the dangers.   He thought that it would have been safe I explained welding gives off UV-C which is what ruins your eyes not IR or NIR, I told him maybe to look at the dot it would be ok to do but not into the laser.  

Anyone know if it is ok to use welding glasses to view the dot while lighting matches or burning things?  Say for 650nm, 532nm, or 808nm?

Welding glasses=no.....just no...[/quote]

Thanks, that should be part of the first post if this is stickied. I am sure I am not the first with this idea that it will protect your eyes, well maybe for 405nm (that's NUV, right?).

 

[BlueFusion]

Caligvla I'm afraid your eyesight is permanently damaged, but if you go to an eye specialist immediately you might have a chance of not being legally blind. (as in unable to drive etc, does not mean zero vision)

I have looked directly into my DX 200 BUT only through my glass goggles that also block 1064nm, and ALSO with a sample of 808nm blocking plastic.

 

[supernova]

Laser Protective Eyewear
When in unshielded presence of an operating Class 3b or Class 4 laser, or when in the same room and there is any chance that the beam will become active. [cover your eyes]
Eye cover (goggles, glasses, shield) specifically designed for protection from the class and the wavelengths in use, and which is stamped with the optical density (OD) at the wavelength of concern.
Make ABSOLUTELY SURE the eyewear you're about the put on is the correct protection for the wavelength(s) in use -- terrible mistakes have been made because somebody else put goggles back in the wrong bin or the wrong case. Do not just grab a pair and assume they're the correct ones! If eyewear is shared, it should be cleaned before and after use with a disinfectant towelette or mild soap and water. Eyewear is properly worn when it is comfortably situated on head/face in a position that prevents the possibility of the beam reaching either eye from any location. Visually inspect eyewear for damage before use and after removal. If there is an elastic band it should be springy and firm, or it should be replaced before the eyewear is used. Do not use eyewear with cracks or weaknesses. Ensure that optical density and wavelength of the eyewear is appropriate for the beam type and energy. The optical density of laser eye protection is the log of the reduction factor (i.e. a reduction factor of 100 is indicated by OD = 2 and OD = 6 implies a reduction factor of one million). Laser eyewear is impressively expensive in most cases, and the manufacturer's instructions should be followed carefully in order to ensure as long a lifetime as possible. When taken good care of, they should last for years. Care and maintenance is simply a matter of keeping them clean and protected from damage. There are no special disposal considerations.

NOTE: Laser Safety training is required for class 3b and 4 laser users. It can be given by REM or by another qualified person (the supervisor, typically). Contact Dr. Wei-Hsung Wang of REM if you wish to have assistance in selecting correct eyewear to purchase; proper OD, visual T, and wavelength.

Credit to:

http://www.chem.purdue.edu/chemsafety/Training/PPETrain/lasergoggles.htm

SN

 

[CL_]

ya, im sry dude, post up so we can know of your condition, that sucks :'(

 

[RobTheVIP]

Caligvla I'm afraid your eyesight is permanently damaged, but if you go to an eye specialist immediately you might have a chance of not being legally blind. (as in unable to drive etc, does not mean zero vision)

I have looked directly into my DX 200 BUT only through my glass goggles that also block 1064nm, and ALSO with a sample of 808nm blocking plastic.

Explain this part man, I hope I am misunderstanding what you wrote !!!

 

[Caligvla]

ya, im sry dude, post up so we can know of your condition, that sucks :'(

Well, I haven't been to the eye doc yet.
My vision hasn't improved but, I guess I am getting use to it. So it doesn't bother me as much.

I just had an eye exam last year, so I am due for one anyway, he will have a lot of stuff to compare to.

I'll let you guys know what happens...

I feel so freaking stupid, I can't believe I did this...