Question

What type of laser causes patient or worker corneal damage and immediate pain when not protected with safety goggles?

1) Infrared laser
2) Ultraviolet laser
3) Visible laser
4) Excimer laser

Answer 1

An Ultraviolet laser, specifically the excimer laser, can cause corneal damage and immediate pain if proper eye protection is not used.

Step-by-step explanation:

The type of laser that can cause corneal damage and immediate pain if the eyes are not protected with safety goggles is the Ultraviolet laser, specifically the excimer laser. Excimer lasers produce a 193 nm wavelength ultraviolet (UV) radiation that is extremely and strongly absorbed by the corneal tissue.

Facilitating precise ablation of very thin corneal layers, as used in LASIK procedures. However, exposure to high intensity UVB light, such as that from an excimer laser without proper eye protection, can lead to conditions like photo keratitis.

This is why the use of protective safety goggles is imperative to avoid corneal damage and associated pain in patients and workers during laser procedures.