A Device for Enhanced Protection of Eyes Against Laser Beams and Other Intense Sources

Author(s):

Laura Vanderhoef, Jeffrey Cameron, Aaron Schweinsberg, Colby Adams, Patrick Marine, Thomas Kottke, and George Thomson

Abstract:

This report describes a device to provide eye protection to users of lasers and other intense light emitters. The device does this by combining a digital camera with a visual display in a light-tight head-mounted enclosure that prevents any direct exposure of the eye to the source while allowing a view of the surroundings. It is meant to replace the array of conventional narrow-wavelength bandpass laser filter goggles needed to give protection in facilities that deal with lasers or sources of differing wavelengths. It does this with a single unit that is effective over the spectral range of the camera/display combination employed. The device is self-contained, realistic in presentation, easy to use, and has a wide field of view. It offers unique capabilities in situations where source wavelengths are encountered that are tunable, broad span, multiplicative, or even continuous. It can also present nonhazardous imagery of a single scene to multiple users simultaneously. This report outlines the eye protection device’s basic concept, performance, and limitations.