Staring At Laser Dot (Newbie panic)

[dellboy177]

Hello all, I bought a laser thermometer and it's a class 2, rated as follows:
Diode Laser: Output＜1mW,Wavelength 630nm-670nm.
I only messed around with it for a few minutes, didn't obviously shine it directly in my eye nor did I get a reflective beam in my eye directly. I'm just wondering will it do my eye damage to actually simply view the dot as it lands on an object im trying to measure the temp of. Seems very potent. Thank you for your replies, sincerely, Mark.

[Photonbeam]

If it's annoying to look at - don't.

[The_Doctor]

Class 2, 1mW of visible light is eye-safe, but take care with certain conditions. Don't view the spot through a strong hand magnifier, take care with shallow concave shiny surfaces, and don't stare down the business end, directly into the beam. If you catch a glancing flash, even off a flat shiny metal surface, you'll be ok. You're right to be cautious because stronger beams capable of damage may not be noticed when causing it.

Laser power classes relate to illuminated area, so strength per unit area is what matters rather than total power. It's often complex, but worth an initial look on Wikipedia concerning laser classes. I don't think anyone gets it all in one go, first time, so if you're workign with any kind of laser it pays to revisit the subject, take in whatever you can each time.

And take extreme care with any laser whose light is not close to the visible green wavelengths. It's not just IR that is dangerous, deep reds and blues can be dangerously misleading. What Photonbeam said is right, but these deep colours may feel totally comfortable, even in dangerously strong beams.

[dellboy177]

Class 2, 1mW of visible light is eye-safe, but take care with certain conditions. Don't view the spot through a strong hand magnifier, and don't stare down the business end, directly into the beam. If you catch a glancing flash, even off a flat shiny metal surface, you'll be ok. You're right to be cautious because stronger beams capable of damage may not be noticed when causing it.

Laser power classes relate to illuminated area, so strength per unit area is what matters rather than total power. It's often complex, but worth an initial look on Wikipedia concerning laser classes. I don't think anyone gets it all in one go, first time, so if you're workign with any kind of laser it pays to revisit the subject, take in whatever you can each time.

Thanks for the reply, just a little terrified at how potent the dot was! As I said a newbie to lasers.

[The_Doctor]

No worries. Seriously, Look at some info because too much anxiety may cause errors just as recklessness may do. It's always worth taking the time to understand it a bit. Sam's Laser FAQ is a good place to go, but it's a bit like the deep end of a large pool. But if lasers fascinate you, it really is worth it.

[Galvonaut]

Hi Mark

Welcome to PL! Where are you?

This really depends a few things:
1) Who you bought the laser from and whether in fact the laser is 1mW (ebay sellers are selling multi-Watt lasers as 1mW to usurp selling restrictions).
2) Whether the reflection was diffused.
3) How far away you and the laser were from the surface.

In the first instance, I would recommend going to see an optician or specialist doctor who should be able to see any damage if it has been done. Prompt medical attention is important as the damage lasers does is thermal and scar tissue can be minimised by prompt medical attention.

Maybe post a photo of the laser hitting wall. Some of the more experienced here might be able to tell what sort of power it is?

If the surface you were looking at was smooth gloss or polished metal, the light hitting your eye may still be coherent and a point source (focuses to a pinpoint on your retina as if it the light came from afar). If the surface was rougher, like matt paint, fabric etc. the light would be safe.

The energy density of laser light reduces the further you are from it and is also effected by the divergence of the beam (how wide it spreads over distance travelled)

If the laser is truly 1mW (which I think is highly unlikely) then there should be no problem whatsoever. However get yourself checked out - or if you can't manage that, at least use an Amsler Grid to see if there are any anomalies. This website tells you how to use the grid.

Hope all is well and sorry that your first visit here is in panic mode!

Keith

[The_Doctor]

Keith.. Laser thermometer. In this case it probably is the real deal, that tech is hard to do well, any firm that can do it probably finds it easy to make a beam compliant with safety requirements. Point taken with many other tools though, laser levels might be far easier to make, firms that sell those might play fast and loose with specs or maybe not even know for sure. 5mW used to be considered safe, but I think there's been a bit of revision downwards from Class 3R to 2 because the beams are both fixed and collimated. Or maybe the 5mW threshold was plain wrong to start with, I'm not sure. I know that Maplin used to sell them as safe though.

[Galvonaut]

I've just read some of the other posts above - I am afraid because of ebay rules here in the UK, sellers are advertising lasers as 1mW when they are clearly not!

I've seen a ~100mW? UV laser with a 1mW label on it - so you can not trust the label unless you bought it from a reputable company.

Here is an example of a multiwatt laser being sold as 1mW
And another 1mW that can light matches? I think not!
And this one, selling as 1mW then stating later that is <2W and even comes with safety glasses, which you should not need with a 1mW laser.

[Galvonaut]

Keith.. Laser thermometer. In this case it probably is the real deal, that tech is hard to do well, any firm that can do it probably finds it easy to make a beam compliant with safety requirements. Point taken with many other tools though, laser levels might be far easier to make, firms that sell those might play fast and loose with specs or maybe not even know for sure. 5mW used to be considered safe, but I think there's been a bit of revision downwards from Class 3R to 2 because the beams are both fixed and collimated. Or maybe the 5mW threshold was plain wrong to start with, I'm not sure. I know that Maplin used to sell them as safe though.

My bad - getting withdrawal symptoms from LSX and losing concentration :P
Yes, it's more likely to be safe in this case - but for someone to be concerned enough with the intensity, it may well not be safe!
Let's hope it is

Keith

[dellboy177]

heres a pic at about 2 feet, theres flash on my camera just to note. it was made in china but was an english seller