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Note that it is not always possible to know immediately
if your eye has been injured by a laser. Sometimes a flash in your
eye will signal that you have looked into the laser. Sometimes the
flash will not occur, or one may have bright flashes that occur
as a part of the experiment. The first sign of damage may be a sandy
or gritty feeling in the eye. It could be a dark spot or an "after
image" (like those that occur after exposure to a flash bulb)
that persists. Some symptoms may not occur for several hours after
exposure. If you think you have sustained injury, observe the following
procedures.
If at Stanford:
- Bleeding in the eye is evidenced by a fogging or dark clouding
of vision (sometimes reddish). Remain in a sitting position to
prevent retinal bleeding from accumulating on the retina. Stay
calm.
- If possible, call for assistance from a colleague, seek medical
advice; call the Stanford Eye Clinic, describe symptoms and injury.
Follow their instructions.
- Inform (or have colleague inform) the P.I.; and,
- Call (or have colleague or P.I call) Health Physics at 723-3201.
If at home:
- Rarely slight bleeding may not been noticed earlier or may be
delayed. If symptoms of bleeding as described above occur, follow
the instructions given above.
- Call the Stanford eye clinic or the nearest hospital, describe
the symptoms and injury. Follow their instructions.
- Inform the P.I. as soon as possible after you have obtained
medical attention. Request the P.I. to inform Health Physics at
723-3201.
For questions regarding the University Laser Safety
Policy or the Administrative Panel on Radiological Safety, call
Health Physics at 723-3201 or the Associate Dean of Research at
723-3763.
For advice on eyewear, posting (warning signs, laser
labeling), the laser safety procedures, hazards control information,
etc., call Health Physics at 723-3201. The e-mail account of the
Health Physicist responsible for laser safety is arefehs@leland.stanford.edu.
For information on Chemical
Safety, Compressed Gases and Cryogenic Safety and Electrical
Safety, call Environmental Health & Safety at 723-0448.
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