Study of the effect of involuntary user movement on the potential light hazards from some ophthalmic instruments

Abstract

A study was undertaken to determine whether involuntary user movement provides a basis for relaxing the measurement conditions for evaluating the potential optical radiation hazards to the eye from slit lamps and indirect ophthalmoscopes. This was accomplished by assessment of the extent to which light from these devices can be maintained in focus on a 1-mm-diameter fiber-optic cable for 45 s. The results suggest that, although involuntary user movements can be significant, they do not provide a basis for relaxing the measurement conditions for evaluating the potential optical radiation hazards to the cornea and lens from slit lamps and indirect ophthalmoscopes.

Optical Diagnostic in Medicine - Needs and Possibilities

“…Particularly functional properties of optical methods such as non-invasiveness and specific interactions with tissues have always aroused a great interest. Therefore, along with the rapid optoelectronics development, there appeared a lot of new techniques of optical imaging [5][6][7][8][9]. * corresponding author; e-mail: kasprzak@amwaw.edu.pl…”

How safe is the light during ophthalmic diagnosis and surgery

“…Although such involuntary movements can be significant, the results of studies, however, do not indicate that the risk of damage overall can be regarded as being reduced, bearing in mind that not all users are prone to being unsteady in using such instruments. 2 Of all the instruments used to examine and treat the eye, the greatest risks arise when using operation microscopes and endoilluminators. Ophthalmic surgery, which frequently takes place on immobilised eyes, generally takes much longer than a diagnostic examination and involves the use of intense levels of light, which present a potential hazard.…”