Important Laser Safety Note
Final laser safety eyewear selection should always be reviewed by the on-site Laser Safety Officer (LSO) or other qualified laser safety personnel based on the actual laser system, operating conditions, beam characteristics, reflections, and applicable ANSI standards.
Laser safety eyewear is intended for unintentional direct and diffuse exposure scenarios only. Proper laser safety practice is to never intentionally stare directly into any laser beam.
The Most Important Factor: Laser Wavelength
The most important parameter when selecting laser safety glasses is the laser wavelength — or wavelength range — being used.
Many laser systems operate with two separate wavelengths:
The aiming beam wavelength
The operating beam wavelength
The aiming beam is typically used to help position or align the operating beam.
In many systems, the aiming beam is:
Lower powered
Visible red light
Intended for positioning assistance
The operating beam is the beam performing the actual laser process, such as:
Cutting
Welding
Engraving
Marking
Medical treatment
Scientific processing
Operating Beam vs Aiming Beam Laser
A common example of an aiming beam is a laser pointer.
However, users should never assume an aiming beam is automatically eye-safe.
If you are uncertain whether an aiming beam is safe for diffuse viewing, consult your Laser Safety Officer or contact our team before making assumptions. Our team has encountered systems where the aiming beam itself required laser safety protection.
Never intentionally look directly into any laser beam, including aiming beams.
Personnel should remain behind the beam path whenever possible and avoid placing their eyes near the beam axis during alignment or operation.
If accidental eye exposure occurs, immediately look away from the beam and seek appropriate medical evaluation if necessary.
For additional information, see our article on operating beams vs aiming beams.
Determining the Required Level of Protection
The required protection level depends on the laser output and operating conditions.
Proper laser safety eyewear selection is based on determining the recommended Optical Density (OD) required to reduce laser exposure below the Maximum Permissible Exposure (MPE).
The required OD is ultimately a function of:
Laser wavelength
Laser power or energy
Exposure duration
Beam geometry
Reflections
Viewing conditions
The Laser Institute of America (LIA) OD Calculator can assist qualified laser safety personnel in estimating recommended Optical Density requirements based on laser parameters and ANSI Z136.1 guidance.
If you are uncertain which OD is appropriate for your application, consult your Laser Safety Officer or contact our team directly for assistance.
Understanding Optical Density (OD)
Optical Density (OD) refers to the amount of laser radiation attenuated by a protective filter at a specific wavelength.
Different wavelengths interact differently with the human eye, which is why different lasers require different protection levels.
Higher OD values indicate greater attenuation of laser energy.
For example:
OD 1 = 10x attenuation
OD 2 = 100x attenuation
OD 3 = 1,000x attenuation
Laser safety products should always be selected based on:
The specific laser wavelength
Laser output characteristics
Application environment
Visibility requirements
Applicable safety standards
Below is an illustration demonstrating the fundamental purpose of laser safety filters.
Please note that diagrams are simplified for illustration purposes and are not drawn to physical scale.
For additional information on Optical Density, see our Optical Density (OD) guide.
What Is Visible Light Transmission (VLT)?
Visible Light Transmission (VLT) describes how much visible light passes through a laser safety lens.
VLT affects:
Brightness
Color perception
Visibility
Situational awareness
Operator comfort
A useful comparison is sunglasses.
Some sunglasses block large amounts of light but make everything significantly darker. Other sunglasses maintain better visibility and color recognition while still reducing brightness effectively.
Laser safety eyewear operates similarly.
Some filters provide extremely high laser attenuation but reduce visibility substantially, while others maintain higher visible light transmission depending on the filter design and application.
Higher VLT is not always “better.” In many applications, additional attenuation and reduced transmission may be necessary to achieve the required level of laser protection safely.
Different applications may prioritize:
Maximum visibility
Color recognition
Broader wavelength coverage
Higher attenuation
Operator comfort
Reduced visual fatigue
For additional information, see our article:
“Understanding Visible Light Transmission (VLT) in Laser Safety Glasses & Windows”
Common Laser Safety Eyewear Materials
Laser safety eyewear generally falls into three primary material categories:
Polycarbonate
Glass
Dielectric Coated
Each material type has different advantages depending on the application.
Feature | Polycarbonate | Glass | Dielectric Coated |
Weight | Lighter | Heavier | Typically heavier |
Cost | Lower | Medium | Higher |
Common Applications | UV, Visible, IR | Primarily IR applications | Specialized wavelength applications |
Durability | Good impact resistance | Excellent optical quality | Application dependent |
Typical Use Cases | General industrial and laboratory use | Higher stability and visibility applications | Precision wavelength filtering |
Different materials may be selected based on:
Wavelength requirements
Optical performance
Environmental conditions
Cost considerations
Visibility requirements
Mechanical durability
Choosing the Right Frame
Frame selection is also an important part of laser safety eyewear selection.
Factors such as:
Fit
Comfort
Prescription compatibility
Face coverage
Peripheral protection
Compatibility with other PPE
can all affect overall safety and usability.
Fit-Over – Frame 10
The 10 Frame Fit-Over is our most popular frame option.
It is commonly selected because:
It fits over many prescription glasses
It accommodates a wide range of users
It is often the most economical option for shared laboratory environments
It works well for many polycarbonate filter configurations
For most standard applications, this frame is highly recommended when selecting polycarbonate laser safety eyewear.
Spectacle – Frame 35
The 35 Frame Spectacle is designed for:
Larger head sizes
Increased comfort
Wider fields of view
Compatibility with many prescription glasses
This frame is commonly selected for:
Glass filters
Dielectric-coated filters
Applications prioritizing visibility and comfort
Sports-Wrap – Frame 38
Benefits: The 38 Frame Sports-Wrap provides a closer-fitting, lower-profile design with a more modern athletic feel. It offers good side protection while maintaining a lightweight and comfortable fit.
This frame is commonly selected for:
Users preferring a more streamlined fit
Applications requiring compatibility with face shields
Situations where eyewear may need to fit under splash goggles
Operators wanting a less bulky eyewear option
The close-fitting design helps improve comfort and stability during extended use while still maintaining effective laser safety coverage.
Common Questions About Laser Safety Glasses
Is the highest Optical Density always the best choice?
No.
Excessively high OD values can:
Reduce visibility
Make alignment more difficult
Reduce situational awareness
Increase operational difficulty
Proper laser safety eyewear selection involves balancing protection and usability based on the actual application.
Do I still need laser safety procedures if I am wearing laser safety glasses?
Yes.
Laser safety eyewear is only one component of a complete laser safety program.
Proper laser safety also involves:
Engineering controls
Administrative controls
Beam management
Proper training
Controlled work areas
Appropriate operating procedures
For our full laser safety eyewear offering, view our laser safety glasses collection.