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CUAJ – CUA Best Practice Report Bhojani et al
BPR: Laser eye safety

Canadian Urological Association Best Practice Report: Holmium: YAG laser eye safety

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Naeem Bhojani ; Sero Andonian ; James D. Watterson ; John W. Dushinski ; Bobby Shayegan ;
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Trevor D. Schuler ; Kenneth T. Pace ; Ben H. Chew ; Hassan Razvi
1 Urology, University of Montreal, Montreal, QC, Canada; Urology, McGill University, Montreal, QC,
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Canada; Urology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada; Urology, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB,
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Canada; Urology, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada; Urology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB,
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Canada; Urology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada; Urology, University of British Columbia,
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Vancouver, BC, Canada; Urology, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada

Cite as: Bhojani N, Andonian S, Watterson JD, et al. Canadian Urological Association Best
Practice Report: Holmium: YAG laser eye safety. Can Urol Assoc J 2020 September 8; Epub
ahead of print. http://dx.doi.org/10.5489/cuaj.6941

Published online September 8, 2020

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SUMMARY AND RECOMMENDATION

1. After over 20 years of extensive use, no eye injuries have ever been reported with
the Ho:YAG laser
2. Based on recent experimental data, it is evident there is no damage to the
unprotected eye unless the laser is fired very close to the eye (within 5 cm of the
cornea).
3. Current evidence does not support mandatory safety eyewear for all OR personnel
4. For operating surgeons who may already be wearing prescription glasses, laser
goggles over glasses leads to significant visual impairment and could affect the
surgeon’s ability to identify important visual cues.
5. Standard prescription eyeglasses are as protective as laser safety goggles,
6. Those who do not wear prescription glasses and may be in close proximity to the
laser fibre (within 5 cm) may wish to consider protective eyewear