Why Should Animals Wear Laser Safety Glasses During Laser Therapy?

Laser therapy for animals has gained popularity in veterinary medicine in recent years for its effectiveness in treating a variety of conditions, from arthritis and wound healing to inflammation and pain management. This non-invasive treatment uses laser light of a specific wavelength to stimulate cell repair and relieve discomfort, offering a safe and drug-free treatment option for many animals. However, as with any medical procedure involving laser technology, there are some important safety considerations—one of which is that animals must wear laser safety glasses. But why exactly do our furry, feathered, or scaly friends need this protection? Let’s dig in.

1. Understanding Laser Therapy for Animals

First, let’s clarify how laser therapy for animals works. The treatment uses low-intensity laser therapy (LLLT), or cold laser therapy, which delivers concentrated light energy through a device. This light energy penetrates the skin and tissues, interacts with cells, and triggers a biological response: increasing blood flow, reducing inflammation, promoting collagen production, and releasing endorphins (natural painkillers). It can be used on a variety of animals, including dogs, cats, horses, rabbits, and even exotic pets, with minimal side effects when used correctly.

2. Lasers can damage animals’ eyes

Like humans, animals are sensitive to lasers. Therapeutic lasers emit a concentrated beam that can penetrate tissue—but lasers of this intensity can also damage the retina, lens, or cornea if the eye is directly exposed to the laser.

The risk depends on several factors:

Laser class (e.g., 3B or 4)

Wavelength and power density

Exposure duration

Without protection, animals can suffer temporary or permanent vision damage, especially if they move unexpectedly during treatment.

3. Animals’ eyes are more fragile

Some animals have larger pupils and more reflective structures (e.g., irises) than humans. This makes their eyes more sensitive to light. For example:

Dogs and cats have better night vision, but may absorb more laser energy.

Rabbits and rodents have very fragile eye structures.

Therefore, laser safety glasses designed for animals can help reduce the risk of eye damage by blocking or absorbing harmful wavelengths.

4. Unpredictable Movement During Treatment

Unlike humans, animals cannot be instructed to close their eyes or remain still. Even docile pets may react suddenly to discomfort or noise. This unpredictability makes it necessary to wear eye protection glasses during any laser procedure to avoid accidental exposure.

Veterinary staff should also use a combination of physical restraint or sedation techniques and appropriate safety gear.

5. Laser glasses for pets are now available

Today, many manufacturers produce laser safety glasses designed for pets. We at LaserPair have laser safety glasses designed specifically for pets with the following features:

① Comfortably fit animals with different head shapes

② Block specific wavelengths of lasers (e.g. 808nm, 980nm, 1064nm)

③ Ensure safety during surgery

Veterinarians should ensure that the selected glasses have the correct optical density (OD) and cover the appropriate laser spectrum.

Conclusion

Laser treatment is a powerful tool for animal health care, but safety always comes first. Wearing laser goggles for animals during treatment:

Protects vision

Reduces risk of injury

Shows a high standard of care

Whether it’s a dog, cat, or other exotic animal, eye protection is essential. Protect their eyes, and you protect their health.