Laser Safety Classifications 
The lasers on the Leica confocal are rated as Class 3B
laser products. Direct eye exposure to the beam will result in unavoidable retinal damage.
Lasers are classified to describe the capability to produce
injury to personnel.
- Class I laser product - poses no threat of biological damage. Low power devices that
either have insufficient power to cause damage or their enclosures prevent emission of
damaging levels of radiation. For example CD players.
- Class II laser product - output can cause biological damage if the beam is stared into
continuously (minutes). These are low power devices (< 1 mW) such as laser pointers.
- Class IIIa laser product - output can cause biological damage to the retina if beam is
view for seconds or if the beam is focused. With visible laser light of this intensity
natural avoidance reaction usually protects vision from serious damage.
- Class IIIb laser product - can cause biological damage to the
eyes if viewed briefly. Intensity is sufficiently powerful to cause damage with brief
exposure. Natural avoidance reaction will not protect from retinal damage.
- Class IV laser product - direct viewing and specular as well as
diffuse reflections can cause biological damage to the eyes or skin. These laser present a
thermal hazard.
