Ocular Thermal Injury from Intense Light
Abstract
Injury from exposure to intense light has been a longstanding concern--particularly ocular damage such as solar eclipse burns, snow blindness, and glass blower's cataracts. The development of intense light sources by man, culminating (to date) with lasers, has increased the possibility of accidental ocular exposures. Systematic laboratory study of ocular damage began in the early 1950's and has progressed more or less continuously ever since. Probably the most understood mechanism of injury is that described as thermal. Rather thorough models of this mechanism exist and have been validated reasonably well within the limits of their applicability. However, other mechanisms of injury (such as acoustical shock waves, and photochemical interactions) have been identified and have received considerable attention in the past decade. The results of the research efforts of many investigators over a considerbale span have been incorporated in numerous laser safety standards, typified by the American National Standards Institute Z136.1 Standard for the Safe Use of Lasers. These standards, although carefully conceived and based upon a large body of empirical information, are neither complete nor final and should be updated as additional information is obtained.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 01, 1982
- Accession Number
- ADA122226
Entities
People
- Garrett D. Polhamus
- Ralph G. Allen
Organizations
- United States Air Force School of Aerospace Medicine