Hazard Analysis Technique for Multiple Wavelength Lasers

Abstract

A technique for evaluating the potential hazards from multiple wavelength lasers is described below. Since little or no known multiwavelength laser exposure research has been performed, this technique is not substantiated and should be employed with great care.

Light-Induced Retinal Changes Observed with High-Resolution Autofluorescence Imaging of the Retinal Pigment Epithelium

“…Although few studies have tested the safety of multiple wavelength laser exposures, 58 the ANSI Standard does provide guidelines for simultaneous exposures to multiple wavelengths as proposed by Lyon 59 (detailed in the Appendix). When accounting for the multiple wavelengths, the MPE is reduced by a factor of 1.4 (reduced from 107 to 75 W, see Appendix) for the 568-nm, 900-second exposures.…”

Intensity of the flash associated with laser-induced plasma in the eye

“…An analogous approach to the problem of dealing with multiple wavelength sources has been suggested by Lyon (1985) who transformed the broadband emission into an equivalent monochromatic emission. It is felt that the concept of a weighted MPE, which we are proposing, is a useful one although, at this stage, it should only be used with caution.…”

Supplementary document for Ultrahigh resolution spectral-domain optical coherence tomography using the 1000-1600 nm spectral band - 5671750.pdf

“…Exposures from several wavelengths are additive on a proportional basis of spectral effectiveness" (p. 64). Mathematically, the sum of the ratios of exposures Q to MPEs (both energies in units of Joules) over each wavelength band i must be less than 1 [17]:…”