Laser Eye Protection Field Evaluation Device

Applied Science Innovations (ASI) proposes development of the Field Evaluation Device for Laser Eye Protection (FEDLEP) to measure the optical density (OD) of laser eye protection (LEP) devices in operational military units. Laser radiation creates significant hazards and threats of ocular injury. Several types of existing LEP provide protection, different in design and wavelengths covered. Wrong LEP may be erroneously selected. LEP may deteriorate over their lifetime. A pressing need to “field check” LEP exists, currently unsatisfied. The proposed FEDLEP will be a user friendly, self-contained, moderately priced device for testing LEP OD in operational flying squadrons. The small device will be secure to operate in non-secure shops, in either scanning mode or at a single wavelength over the 400 to 1400 nm range and measure the OD as a function of wavelength. Phase I will establish feasibility of the FEDLEP concept; Phase II will result in a first generation preproduction prototype system. The ability to measure spectral OD will enable field tests of LEP immediately prior to their use by the Air Force and other branches of the Armed Services. Other commercial applications of ODIS will be in testing eye protection gear in the industry and law enforcement.