Laser Pointers Pose Dangers to Eyes

A recent study detailed four cases of children whose use of laser pointers resulted in traumatic injury to the retina. This type of injury can lead to blurry vision, blind spots, or potentially permanent vision loss. Furthermore, experts report that treatment options for retinal damage resulting from laser pointers are scarce. Unreliable labeling of laser pointers is partly to blame, as recent research has shown that many laser pointers have higher power outputs than listed on the device. Dr. Charles Wykoff, deputy chair of ophthalmology at the Blanton Eye Institute at Houston Methodist Hospital adds, “Don’t look at them, don’t point them in your eye, and don’t point them into others’ eyes. Once the injury has occurred, there’s really not much that can be done… So, I would take the approach that no laser pointer is safe to point at your eyes.” Pediatrics, September 2016