A method of performing eye safety measurements on laser devices is
disclosed. The laser is contained within a housing having a central bore.
The method uses an optical detector having at least two zones to make
separate measurements of both a direct power coming from the laser and an
indirect power reflected off of the central bore. The first zone
measuring the direct power is smaller than the second zone measuring the
indirect power. The measurement of the first power is then used to adjust
the power of the laser to be within a specified optical standard, such as
the class 1 standard. In one exemplary embodiment, the laser is an 850
nanometer Vertical Cavity Surface Emitting Laser (VCSEL).