To improve safety with respect to the human eye in a acousto optical image generating device without providing additional physical means. [Solution] A probe (11) irradiates a subject with light guided from a laser unit (13) and sends and receives acoustic waves to and from the subject. The probe (11) sends and receives acoustic waves before an acousto optical image is generated. An image generating means (23) generates a reflected acoustic wave image on the basis of the reception results for the acoustic wave. A contact status assessment means (26) assesses whether or not the probe (11) is in contact with the subject on the basis of the reflected acoustic wave image. If the contact assessment means (26) deems that the probe is in contact with the subject a control means (24) outputs a laser oscillation trigger signal and irradiates the subject with light from the probe (11).
