The optical radiation was measured from a variety of intra-ocular illuminator fibers and tips at two different use distances. The spectral irradiance for each configuration was weighted with the Aphakic action spectrum specified by the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH). The weighted spectral irradiance values were integrated and compared with the threshold limit values (TLVs) for ocular exposure published by the ACGIH. These weighted irradiance values were also compared to known damage thresholds. The calculated times to exceed the TLVs were significantly shorter than typical operating times which can occur during ophthalmic surgical procedures such as vitrectomy. The addition of short-wavelength blocking filters can increase the' time to TLV' by as much as a factor of two. Therefore, when practical, exposure reduction techniques such as using short-wavelength filtration, and minimizing exposure time and intensity should be adopted.