hi
I contacted Dave Sliney and without giving me references, gave me a
figure of about 2%.
He had attempted to measure an accurate value but it proved difficult
Bill Davies
Swansea

>>> [log in to unmask] 03/04/02 09:09am >>>
I haven't seen any data on reflection of the excimer laser radiation
from the cornea. I don't expect it is very great but it would be
interesting to know if there is any information out there. There is
also the matter of attenuation in air at 190 nm which helps to
reduce the risk. Again, firm data is hard to come by. As regards,
use of protective eyewear, I would generally advise all staff to use
protective eyewear when the LASIK laser is in operation. The
eyewear is widely available and easy to use, reasonably
comfortable and does not interfere with working efficiency. Although
you could mount a case to show that it may not be strictly
necessary, it might be more difficult to persuade a court.

My advice is that goggles are cheaper than lawyers!

What do others think about this?

Regards,
Harry Moseley

Date sent:              Tue, 26 Feb 2002 16:49:05 +0000
Send reply to:          British Medical Laser Association
<[log in to unmask]>
From:                   Paddy Gilligan <[log in to unmask]>
Subject:                Safety and Lasik lasers
To:                     [log in to unmask]

> Hi does any one have a reflection coefficient of the eye or ref to
one at
> 190nm for an argon fluoride  excimerlaser.
>
> we are currently trying to draw up safety guidelines as whether
nurses need
> to wear glasses in the vicinity of an excimer laser. The current
common
> practice seems to be that nurses do not wear  safety glasses in the
> vicinity of these lasers.
>
> I have assumed the  eye is a diffuse albedo surface for these
calculations.
> Using 10% reflection I can get away with the nurse not wearing
goggles for
> certain treatments.
>
> Does any one else have experience of protection for such scenarios
>
> regards
>
> Paddy Gilligan
>
> Mater Private Hospital Dublin


Dr Harry Moseley
Consultant Medical Physicist
The Photobiology Unit
University of Dundee
Ninewells Hospital & Medical School
Dundee DD1 9SY
United Kingdom

Tel. (0)1382 632240
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