Are Laser Glasses and Welding Glasses the Same?

With the widespread use of laser technology, laser safety glasses, as essential eye protection, have also garnered significant attention. Many people are wondering: Are laser safety glasses and welding glasses the same thing? While both are designed to protect the eyes from harmful light and potential injuries, their protective principles, applications, and effectiveness differ significantly. Wearing inappropriate glasses can leave your eyes vulnerable to serious damage.

1. The Difference Between Laser Glasses and Welding Glasses

①Laser safety glasses are specially designed to block or absorb specific wavelengths of laser radiation. They have an optical density (OD) rating, which indicates how much laser light they filter out. Each pair of laser glasses is customized to protect against a specific wavelength or wavelength range of lasers, such as 532 nm green lasers or 1064 nm infrared lasers. Using the correct laser glasses with the correct wavelength is crucial for safe operation in laboratory, medical, and industrial laser processing.

②Welding glasses, on the other hand, are designed to protect against the intense visible light, ultraviolet (UV), and infrared (IR) radiation generated during the welding process. These glasses or helmets use dark filters (often categorized by light blocking level) to reduce brightness and protect the retina from arc flash. They are not designed to filter out coherent laser beams, which can easily pass through or damage the lenses when used in a laser environment.

2. What happens if you use the wrong glasses?

① Using laser glasses for welding:

Inadequate UV/IR protection: Laser glasses only block specific wavelengths and therefore fail to block the broad UV/IR spectrum generated by the welding arc. This can cause welder flashes (over several hours) or long-term retinal damage.

Poor visibility: Laser glasses may not block enough visible light, which can dazzle and make it difficult to see the weld, increasing the risk of errors or accidents.

② Using welding glasses for laser work:

No laser wavelength protection: Welding glasses are not designed for specific laser frequencies. A 1064 nm laser can pass through Shade 14 welding glasses and instantly burn the retina (usually painless, as the retina lacks pain receptors).

False sense of security: You may believe you are protected, but the glasses cannot protect against the concentrated energy of the laser. 

In general, using welding glasses instead of laser safety glasses is extremely dangerous. Welding filters may reduce brightness, but they do not block specific wavelengths of laser light. Similarly, wearing laser glasses during welding does not adequately protect against the high-intensity UV and IR radiation generated by the welding arc. The only way to ensure safety is to choose certified glasses designed for your specific application.

3. How to Choose the Right Glasses

To ensure safety, please follow the steps below to select the right glasses:

Laser Operations:

① Determine the wavelength of the laser device: Different laser devices operate at different wavelengths, and you must select laser glasses that match the operating wavelength of the laser device. For example:

Fiber laser welding machine (commonly used wavelength 1064nm): Choose glasses marked with "1064nm protection," such as LP-YHP-2 DIN4 laser safety glasses from LaserPair;

CO2 laser cutting machine (common wavelength 10600nm): Choose glasses with protection for the "10600nm" wavelength, such as LP-CHP laser safety glasses from LaserPair;

② Choose laser glasses with an OD value appropriate for your laser power: The OD value (optical density) represents the ability of laser safety glasses to attenuate laser light of a specific wavelength. The higher the OD value, the more effective it is at blocking the laser light. The higher the power, the higher the OD value.

③ Ensure that the glasses meet ANSI Z136.1 or EN 207 standards.

Welding:

① Determine your welding process (e.g., MIG, TIG, flame).

② Select the light shielding level based on the process (refer to ANSI Z87.1 for guidance).

③ Choose auto-darkening welding glasses. These automatically adjust the light shielding level as you switch between welding and setup.

4. Conclusion

Laser glasses and welding glasses are not the same. They each provide unique protection based on different light sources and hazards. If you are using lasers, you need certified laser safety glasses with the appropriate wavelength and light density. If you are welding, you need welding glasses or a helmet with the appropriate light shielding level. Choosing the right eyewear ensures maximum protection and prevents irreversible eye damage.