Heat Vision

Description
Heat Vision is an ability in which the user's eyes glow red and produce varying amounts of heat. This power is unique to Superman and a select few other superpowered beings in the DC Universe. It is different from the power of Concussive Beams because the latter power simply knocks back opponents while Heat Vision acts in a similar fashion to a welding torch or a plasma cutter.

How it works
First, after the user concentrates on a specific object, his/her eyes glow red and generate intense heat, either causing the object to melt, be cut, or fused together due to the reaction. Heat vision can either be seen as a beam of visible heat or as infrared radiation. The power's strength depends on the user's emotional state; in other words, the angrier the person gets, the more powerful the beam becomes.

For Superman, this is most likely regarded as his most taxing ability, this is due to the fact that while the solar radiation he absorbs is converted into useable energy for his other powers, the solar radiation is focused and used in its raw form, temporarily depleting his energy levels.

Differences from the comics
In the TV series "Smallville", Heat Vision manifests in Clark as a by-product of sexual desire in the second season, and the same can be seen later when he tries to help Supergirl control her power. In the comics, it is derived from rage and extreme anger.

Notable Users
(All users from DC Comics)

Superman Supergirl Superboy Krypto the Superdog Ultraman Other Kryptonians