EFFICACY OF CORNEAL EYE SHIELDS IN PROTECTING PATIENTS EYES FROM LASER IRRADIATION

BACKGROUND. The continuing development of new types and applications o f lasers has appeared to surpass the development of specific eye prote ction for these lasers. There are a variety of eye shields on the mark et, but few are specifically designed for laser protection. OBJECTIVE. Our purpose was to test a variety of eye shields by two parameters, l ight transmission and temperature rise, and to determine from these me asurements the most protective shield for patients. METHODS. We tested four plastic shields, one metal shield, and two sets of tanning goggl es for temperature vise and light transmission when irradiated with a beam from a flashlamp-pumped, pulsed-dye laser. RESULTS. The temperatu re rise at the surface of the shield opposite the laser impacts was no more than 0.2 degrees C in any case. White light was transmitted at s ignificant levels through several of the shields, but yellow light tra nsmittance was noted only through the green eye shield. CONCLUSION. Ou r measurements indicate that all except the green shield appeared safe from transmission of the 585-nm radiant energy. However, the optimal laser eye shield, in our opinion, would be a composite of several diff erent shields' characteristics.