Do You Need to Wear Eye Protection for Fraxel?

Thank you for your question. Eye protection is an important part of all laser treatments. Some lasers do not require goggles, and they can be lifted up when working closer to the eye area for some lasers. Fractionated Fraxel requires eye protection. Direct beam contact with the eye is the most severe risk. I would request for eye protection to be worn in the future for safest treatments.  I would also recommend being treated under the supervision of a Board Certified Dermatologist or Plastic Surgeon for best results and safest treatments.  I hope this helps!

If the laser is used on the eyelids then absolutely, yes, eye protection shoud be used.  However, if you keep your eyes closed while treating other areas of the face you are fine.

Hi Vegan.  While there are certain wavelengths of light that are less problematic to the eyes than others, we always cover our patients eyes during treatment.  In situations where we need to get closer to the eyelid, we use a tongue depressor to protect the eyes.

As long as your eyes were not open during the treatment, you should be fine, but if you are more comfortable with eyewear during treatment, you should request it. 

One should always have eye protection during laser treatment-- whether it is Fraxel or other lasers.  While the risk of eye injury is low, why risk it?  In my office, I insist that every patient receive eye protection-- either in the form of goggles (for off face treatment), laser aid eyepads, or internal corneal eye shields.  I also insist that everyone else in the room has adequate eye protection.  Your eyesight is too important to risk it.

Having said that, the Fraxel laser is not very dangerous to the eyes.  It has to do with it's wavelength.  It's attracted to water, so the most it would do is cause an injury to the conjunctiva or cornea.  It's not attracted to the retina or iris where the lasers that are attracted to pigment (KTP, Pulsed Dye, Diode, Alexandrite) can cause visual lose or blindness. So, the Fraxel is relatively safe to the eye.  If you would have been injured to the eye with the Fraxel, it would present as pain immediately, and you would have irritation, swelling, pink/redness of the eye.  If this didn't occur, you're good, but would use eye protection next time.

Good question.  If the laser is only being used on areas around the eyes but not on the eyelids, it can be safely performed by an experienced physician.  There is no harm on asking for this protection, however, if it makes you uncomfortable.  Best wishes.