THERE IS NO PERFECT SOLUTION FOR LASER EYE PROTECTION!!

Aura Visual Concepts, Inc. is able to fabricate laser protective prescription lenses for infrared (IR) and carbon dioxide (CO2) lasers only. These are available in non-prescription (plano power lenses), single vision and multifocal prescriptions.

Aura Visual Concepts, Inc. is first and foremost a manufacturer of eye protection products. Our lenses meet or exceed all existing standards for optical clarity, visible light transmission, dioptric power and prism correction.

Any filter lens can have some undesirable effect upon vision, but when faced with discomfort, loss of vision, or even death from a laser, most individuals will gladly wear eye protection.

Eye protection of some kind is required for some Class 2 lasers, most Class 3 lasers, and all Class 4 lasers, if direct beam exposure is possible. The laser beam can cause injury to several different structures of the eye, depending on the wavelength and intensity of the beam.

The retina may be damaged from beams in the visible and near infra-red area (400 to 1400 nm). Light directly from the laser or reflected (not dispersed) entering the eye can be focused to an extremely small image on the retina, causing burns and/or bleeding.

The cornea is affected by beams in the ultra-violet and far infra-red (outside the 400 to 1400 nm range). The laser beam in these wavelengths does not penetrate the eye, but is absorbed by the cornea and lens of the eye. Corneal damage can result in cataracts.

Technical discussion of the hazards of laser use is beyond the scope of this document. If you are interested in more information, we would like to direct you to the Laser Institute of America (LIA), 12424 Research Parkway, Suite 130, Orlando, Florida 32826, (407) 380-1553. Some brochures that may be of interest to you are: 103 - Laser Safety Guide, 104 - Guide for the Selection of Laser Eye Protection, and 106 - ANSI Z136.1 Safe Use of Lasers. Additionally, if you are employed by a medical establishment, you should also have ANSI Z136.3 Safe Use of Lasers in Health Care Facilities. These publications can answer many of your questions about laser safety.

At Aura Visual Concepts, Inc., our approach to laser safety eyewear is total eye protection. Single and multiple wavelength protection is available through a variety of frames and goggles, all manufactured to provide individual protection against laser beam exposure.

HOW TO ORDER LASER PROTECTIVE EYEWEAR

Step One

Use the attached Laser Eyewear Information Sheet and fill it out completely. We will need to know the wavelength of the laser, the power output, and other listed information usually found on the nameplate of the laser. If the patient is exposed to more than one wavelength, use the additional columns provided. If prescription eyewear is required, please fill out the lower half of the form, or attach a copy of the patients’ most recent prescription. NOTE: We MUST have the pupillary distance (PD). We cannot make prescription eyewear without it.

Step Two

We fabricate lenses in a frame that you supply. A Z87 safety frame is required for all laser protective eyewear. We can also fabricate the lenses into one of the package frames that we would supply. Select your frame here.

Step Three

Mail or FAX the Laser Eyewear Information Sheet to us. We will determine the cost and delivery time of your eyewear and call you within two days of receipt to confirm cost and delivery prior to manufacture.

Available Filters (Minimum OD is 5.0 unless otherwise specified):

Note that this is not a complete list. New laser wavelengths are being developed all the time. Our current manufacturing range is any wavelength between 950 nm and 11,000 nm.

All filters listed above provide a minimum optical density of 5.0. Higher optical densities are available upon request.

Note: At the present time, Aura Visual Concepts, Inc. is manufacturing only laser filters that protect from infra-red and CO2 laser wavelengths.

• Normal bifocal/trifocal diameter is 28 mm. There is a $50.00 charge to change to 35 mm.
• Bifocal and trifocal IR filters are laminated. All materials supplied are glass.
• CO₂ filters (except for progressives) can be manufactured in a green colored material, add $50.00.
• We proudly use the X-Cel Freedom ID Progressive lens as the base material for the CO₂ progressive Rx.
• Prices above include edging, hardening and inserting in a frame that you supply. Add $50.00 for our Basic Safety Frame, $75.00 for our Deluxe Safety Frame and $ 100.00 for our Titanium Safety Frame.
• There are no discounts for doctor error remakes and no “non-adaptation” credit.

Click here to download the Laser Eyewear Information Sheet