The IEC safety document [11] defines the laser operator as “the person who handles the laser equipment. In general, the laser operator controls the delivery of the laser radiation to the working area. The laser operator may appoint other person(s), who assist with the selection and/or setting of the parameters”. Because some had interpreted the “laser operator” to be the assistant setting up the equipment and adjusting the settings rather than the dermatologist or other specialist directing the beam on the target tissue, the 2005 Edition of the
ANSI Z136.3 standard termed this person the “laser user” [4]. In any case, whether the laser operator is termed the “operator” or the “user,” this individual often has the highest likelihood of incurring an eye injury from a laser reflection. Fortunately, many of the newer dermatological IPL and laser systems deliver energy to the treatment area by contact, and the handpiece delivery blocks any direct reflection. If the operator can view the target tissue when the optical energy is delivered in a noncontact mode, the reflections must be safely attenuated by the use of laser eye protectors. Under such indirect viewing conditions, the laser operator is normally not highly susceptible to injury due to proper design of the laser instrument. However, if the laser or IPL is accidentally actuated when the applicator is misdirected away from the target tissue, the operator will be at risk as any other person in the room. In addition, with hand-held laser delivery systems, one should remember that the operator’s hand is the closest to the laser target, and therefore it is closest to potentially hazardous contact with the beam or reflections from adjacent metallic or glass surfaces.