Can laser pointers cause blindness?

There are many different types of laser devices that are used all the time in our everyday activities. These lasers can be seen in the checkout scanning machines in stores, security machines, DJ shows, printers, and computers.   Another commonly used laser is the laser pointer which is sometimes sold over the counter as a toy. The misuse of laser pointers however can result in accidental injuries to the eye. The damage can go unnoticed for a long period of time because it is painless. If shone directly into the eye, a laser pointer can cause instantaneous injury. Sometimes, the damage can resolve over time but there are many instances when the damage is irreversible and permanent. Our eyes are highly developed to see in great detail and also in very low light, but these very qualities make them vulnerable to damage from light, as well.

A laser pointer’s light is concentrated into a narrow beam. If aimed at a person’s eye from close up, most or all of the light goes through the pupil. The already-concentrated light is further focused by the lens onto a small spot on the retina. This causes a thermal burn in the retinal layers and may cause a scar to form. As the laser power increases, the chance of eye injury increases. Even blinking may not help. Deliberate staring at a laser beam can cause permanent blind spots. This has been known to happen in people who stared into the laser on a dare by others, inebriated individuals and uninformed, innocent victims. If the person was looking straight at the laser, the burn will be in the center of a person’s vision. In extreme cases of eye damage, central vision could be almost fully lost, and the person becomes permanently legally blind in that eye. This is similar to the damage seen by people staring at a solar eclipse without protection.

Laser pointers need to be kept away from children. In the United States, the federal Food and Drug Administration regulates all laser devices and toys only approved by the FDA are to be used. If a toy is broken, discard of it properly according to local environmental and safety guidelines. Do not continue to use it any longer.  The laser’s protective cavity should never be broken open as this will result in a potentially dangerous situation.. A handheld laser pointer can pop balloons, ignite cigarettes or cause instant eye injuries at close range. Look for an FDA-recommended IEC Class I label on children’s toy lasers. The label says “Class 1 Laser Product,” which would clearly communicate that the product is of low risk and not in a higher emission level laser class

Remember:

• Do not buy laser pointers for children or allow them to use lasers.
• Do not buy any lasers that emits more than 5 mW of power or does not have the power printed on the label. In FDA-regulated pointers, the laser power limit is set at one-tenth the actual threshold of damage.
• If a person sees a bright light, they will automatically blink, on the average in less than 0.2 seconds. This is referred to as the blink reflex, and it is considered when the limit is assigned for how much power will cause an eye injury.
• Never aim or shine a laser directly at anyone, including animals. The light energy from a laser aimed into the eye can be hazardous, perhaps even more than staring directly into the sun.
• Never point a laser at a vehicle such as a car or airplane. This can startle and temporarily blind the driver or pilot, causing serious accidents.
• If you believe you may have suffered an injury to your eyes from a laser, see your ophthalmologist or optometrist as soon as possible