When doing Fraxel Laser around the eyes, is it necessary to use eye shields for protection?

It is my opinion that eye shields should always be used whenever a laser is being operated near the eyes.  Since the Fraxel laser beam will not fire unless the handpiece is in contact with the skin, that does significantly reduce the odds of the laser beam hitting the eye, which is why I have heard of some physicians being lax on protective eye shields with this treatment.  Nevertheless, I would still always have eye shields for laser skin treatments to the face, and insist (as needed) that your physician provide them too you with each treatment.

Metal eye shields are the safest way to protect eyes during any laser procedure. The metal should be dull, not shiney, so the laser is not reflected back into operators eyes. The eye pads are good too. They have metal incorporated.  Corneal shields need to be placed when the laser is being used on the eyelids over the cornea. They should be metal too.