CLASS III VS CLASS IV LASER THERAPY

DIFFERENCE BETWEEN CLASS IIIB AND CLASS IV LASERS

There are a lot of different laser therapy systems on the market today, each with varying specifications on their power and settings like continuous wave, pulsed, and super pulsed. With all these options and opposing claims, it’s hard to know what will work best for your clinic.

One of the significant differences between laser therapy systems is whether they are class III (3) or class IV (4) laser devices. Knowing the difference and how each will affect the type of treatment you can provide is essential when deciding on a laser therapy system.

The FDA classifies lasers based on their potential to cause harm if misused, particularly to the skin and eyes. Class IIIb and class IV laser devices have the highest potential for injury if misused. Still, even lower classes, such as a class IIIa laser pointer or class II barcode scanner, can cause harm if viewed directly with magnifying optical aids or if the naked eye is exposed for a longer period.

By FDA regulations, any laser device class II or above must be labeled with a warning that includes the device’s class and power output. A laser pointer toy for cats and a surgical laser for skin ablation have the same labeling policies.

Specifically for classes IIIb and IV, laser devices pose a risk of injury if directly viewed for any period of time and are a skin hazard. In addition, class IV lasers can also cause damage if viewed indirectly.

As a healthcare provider, you don’t want to be hurting your patients, so the idea that a device can hurt them might be off-putting. But as with other powerful medical devices like X-rays, CT scans, and MRIs, the benefits greatly outweigh the risks with the proper precautions and training. Any laser therapy device you add to your practice should have comprehensive safety protocols and protective eyewear for both laser technicians and patients.