A protector for a light conducting conduit constitutes an enlarged head attached to the distal end of the light conducting conduit. The enlarged head has an internal cavity with a shutter positioned adjacent its distal end. The shutter is opened by insertion of the light connection of a medical instrument into the internal cavity. The shutter closes when the light connection of the medical instrument is removed from the internal cavity. The enlarged head is made of a material with a low heat conductivity.