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Laser Pointers and Eye Safety

Many people use laser pointers, for example at business meetings, conventions or in classrooms. These pointers are widely available and sometimes sold cheaply, according to Princeton University. This common availability makes them susceptible to use in ways that are not what they are manufactured for, including use by children. As a result, there are concerns about eye safety when using these pointers.

  1. Powerful Lasers

    • Most laser pointers employ low or moderately powered diode lasers, according to Princeton. More powerful lasers are available on the market, though. The majority of these high-powered lasers are imported from outside the U.S. The risk for eye damage increases when using a high-powered laser, and they are sometimes not labeled correctly, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

    No Restrictions

    • No restrictions exist on buying laser pointers in the U.S., according to Princeton University. The FDA issued a warning about the proper use of these pointers, stating that the lasers should be used for their intended purposes, and never as toys. The FDA urged parents to not let their children use laser pointers without adult supervision, as the laser light could be more damaging than staring at the sun.

    Types

    • Most laser pointers sold in the United States have either Class 2 or Class 3 diode lasers, according to Princeton University. These lasers have a maximum output of five megawatts (mWs). Pointers with much higher outputs are reported as coming from China and Russia, according to Princeton. The most dangerous of these had an output of 15mW, a huge danger to the eyes.

      Every laser pointer should list its output class and output in megawatts. A red “danger" sticker or a yellow "caution" sticker should be seen on the package.

    Hazards

    • Laser pointers’ only possible damage is to the eye, according to Princeton. Retinal damage is the worst possibility, although permanent damage is unlikely. Glare, flashblindness and afterimage are the most common symptoms of retinal damage. Flashblindness is a temporary vision impairment that follows seeing a bright light. Seeing spots in your vision is the hallmark of afterimage. Afterimage usually only lasts a few minutes. Glare is the temporary loss of vision when the beam is in your eye. This will go away when the light is out of your eye.

    Considerations

    • Never point a laser pointer at a person or look directly into the beam. Do not look at the beam through a microscope or binoculars, and do not point the beam at reflective surfaces. Use only FDA-certified laser pointers.

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