The danger of infrared laser radiation to the organ of vision

Introduction. The article tells about the widespread use of infrared lasers in the fields of human activity. The constantly increasing power of laser installations leads to an increased risk to the health of large groups of workers. Current hygiene standards do not provide adequate eye protection from the harmful effects of this factor.

The study aims are a scientific justification for improving the maximum permissible level (MPL) of infrared laser radiation.

Materials and methods. To generalize and systematize the results of experimental studies and mathematical modeling to determine the threshold values of the harmful effects of infrared laser radiation on eyeball tissue, the authors used analytical methods.

Results. Far infrared laser radiation can pose a danger not only to the cornea, but also to the retina. One of the important indicators affecting the depth of penetration of laser radiation into the structures of the eye and the severity of lesions is the absorption coefficient of the medium. Based on mathematical modeling of the thermochemical destruction of eye tissues, the researchers determined the threshold values of the harmful effects of far-infrared laser radiation, confirmed by the results of experimental studies. The scientists justified the need to introduce a higher coefficient of hygienic reserve in determining the maximum permissible level and recommended new proposals for the hygienic regulation of far-infrared laser radiation.

Conclusion. The introduction of new maximum permissible levels will provide more reliable eye protection from far infrared laser radiation.

Ethics. This study did not require the conclusion of the Ethics committee.

Contribution:
Paltsev Yu.P. — the concept and design of the study, data collection and processing, writing, editing;
Pokhodzey L.V. — research concept and design, data collection and processing, text writing, editing;
Zheltov G.I. — concept and design of research, data collection and processing.

Funding. The study had no funding.

Conflict of interests. The authors declare no conflict of interests.

Received: 04.03.2024 / Accepted: 14.03.2024 / Published: 05.04.2024

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