What hazards can arise from exposure to UV radiation from lasers?

The hazards associated with exposure to UV radiation from lasers can indeed include photochemical effects on the cornea. Ultraviolet radiation has the potential to cause significant damage to the eye, particularly to sensitive tissues such as the cornea. Photochemical effects occur when UV light interacts with biological tissues, potentially leading to conditions such as photokeratitis, which is akin to a sunburn of the cornea. This can result in symptoms like pain, redness, and temporary vision impairment.

While thermal burns can occur with sufficient energy, exposure to UV radiation specifically poses a heightened risk for chemical changes in ocular tissues rather than just thermal damage. Likewise, while direct damage to the retina is an important concern with other types of laser exposures, UV radiation primarily affects the more anterior structures of the eye, such as the cornea, rather than the retina. Electrical hazards are also unrelated to UV radiation from lasers, as they pertain to risks associated with electrical equipment rather than the radiation emitted by the laser itself. Thus, the option focusing on the photochemical effects on the cornea accurately encompasses the specific risks linked to UV exposure from lasers.