Laser to the eye star bursting effect

Laser to the eye star bursting effect

Hey guys,
Before I start, Yes I know I'm an idiot.
I got a 100mw green laser and did not look up laser safety first.
I knew not to shine it directly into someone's eyes but that was about it.

Soon after getting the laser I had it in my car. A friend asked to see it. As I picked it up I hit off the sensitive button and the beam hit the rear view mirror then hit my left eye. It did not hurt just felt a bit uncomfortable and I did not think anything of it.

The next day I noticed light sources look like this to me
http://www.usaeyes.org/images/bulb-starburst.jpg
It happened 3 days ago but lucky it seems to be improving slightly each day. (At first it was almost impossible to drive at night)
So I have learnt my lesson the hard way and probably got off quite light considering. Has anyone else experienced star bursting like this?
And now long did it take to subside?

I call bs how the hell did it bounce off your rearview mirror and if it actually did happen go to the Doctor/opthamologist not a forum about lasers

I would also be willing to bet you dont even have a laser.

Obvious Troll is obvious...

KiLLrB said:

I call bs how the hell did it bounce off your rearview mirror and if it actually did happen go to the Doctor not a forum about lasers

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Jeezes, why would he lie about something like that? Also how he got the injury is irrelevant.

On-topic: I did not experience that when I got a direct hit once, but since it's improving there is low chance of permanent damage. I had a small blind spot in my vision for about a month. You should go see an eye-doctor anyways.

Grix said:

Jeezes, why would he lie about something like that? Also how he got the injury is irrelevant.

Click to expand...

Just one mans opinion sorry if you dont agree with me its just an observation. Think about where you would have to hold it to bounce off the REARVIEW mirror also he said he was picking it up im sorry if i am wrong but i smell BS!

Could you outline why you think I am dishonest and what I am trying to prove by it?

The laser just happened to be pointing at the mirror and as a rear view mirror is normally aimed at ones eyes that's where the reflection landed. I don't see how my post is a troll I am not trying to start an argument. I admit that I was stupid and just want to hear of similar stories.
If my eyesight does not continue to improve I will make an an appointment with an ophthalmologist.

It was pointing at the mirror when you picked it up? It doesnt matter if your eyes are looking at the mirror if the reflection is hitting the roof of the car (which it would be if you picked it up below the level of the mirror) you wont see the beam. If you are seeing what you say and you actually did do this you need to see an Opthamologist immediately!

KiLLrB, do you know what a rear view mirror is? :thinking: It would be extremely easy to get a reflection off that into you eye since it is positioned to reflect a large area behind you into your eyes.

celestial, you very likely have serious damage which your brain is currently trying to compensate for, and you should definitely see an ophthalmologist and have your eyes checked.

Seb

Rear view mirrors have 2 angles they will reflect at. One is for daytime viewing and the second for nighttime when someone's brights are on behind you. A laser beam could easily reflect off the different angled nighttime mirror... Possible. and if done, it would cause less damage. as the darkened mirror won't reflect as much light. What he has posted is theoretically possible, depending on where he was sitting, how the laser was oriented, even where in the car the friend was sitting (front or back seat. Back seat for instance would greatly increase the odds of the angles being right)

Still possibly a troll, but from the data said so far, it's not a certain one.

Assuming this post ISN'T a troll, then GO TO THE EYE DOCTOR!!!!!!!! while the eye damage might be getting some what better, there is still a chance of a worse eye condition developing resulting in degradation of vision and permanent complete blindness in that eye. The only way to accurately determine the extent of eye damage is with a complete eye exam. Vision is too important to risk by not going.

Assuming this post IS a troll: you are better off trolling in the general or off topic sections. you will get better results there.

As I moved it forward from the compartment it was in which was behind me it aimed at the mirror. Making an appointment would be the smart thing to do. I will do that in the morning. I am new here, please go easy on me.

Jaseth said:

KiLLrB, do you know what a rear view mirror is? :thinking: It would be extremely easy to get a reflection off that into you eye since it is positioned to reflect a large area behind you into your eyes.

celestial, you very likely have serious damage which your brain is currently trying to compensate for, and you should definitely see an ophthalmologist and have your eyes checked.

Seb

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Jaseb go to a car and see what you would have to do to get a laser to shine in your left eye while you are sitting in the car usuing a pencil. Remember you will have to see the pencil end on in the mirror to simulate the beam shining in your eye. Also remember he said he was picking it up it would already have had to pick it up to hit his eye. But I digress... I just feel it is near impossible the way he described and i apologise for making waves it is just my opinion it didnt happen or it didnt happen how he said.

celestial said:

Laser to the eye star bursting effect

Hey guys,
Before I start, Yes I know I'm an idiot.
I got a 100mw green laser and did not look up laser safety first.
I knew not to shine it directly into someone's eyes but that was about it.

Soon after getting the laser I had it in my car. A friend asked to see it. As I picked it up I hit off the sensitive button and the beam hit the rear view mirror then hit my left eye. It did not hurt just felt a bit uncomfortable and I did not think anything of it.

The next day I noticed light sources look like this to me
http://www.usaeyes.org/images/bulb-starburst.jpg
It happened 3 days ago but lucky it seems to be improving slightly each day. (At first it was almost impossible to drive at night)
So I have learnt my lesson the hard way and probably got off quite light considering. Has anyone else experienced star bursting like this?
And now long did it take to subside?

Click to expand...

Sorry to hear that this happened, could you post a link to the place were you bought the laser. Many models of green laser are not actually the power they are advertised, some are over or underpowered, and can leak IR light, meaning it will cause potentially different eye problems. I DID have an accident with my 200mW green laser once. It reflected off a polished stainless steel pot on the stove and into my eyes. My color vision was slightly off for about 12 hours, I was quite worried, but when I woke up the next morning it was back to 100% normal. I was fortunate that no damage was done. Although what you have said seems more serious than what I experienced. Honestly, I would go to an ophthalmologist just to be sure.

Out of curiosity, is there any treatment for a 'lasered eye'?

Thanks 2007Revolution. This is the laser DealExtreme: $34.63 Flashlight Style Green Laser - 100mW Factory Pot Modded (CR123A Included)

celestial said:

Thanks 2007Revolution. This is the laser DealExtreme: $34.63 Flashlight Style Green Laser - 100mW Factory Pot Modded (CR123A Included)

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Okay, well I think you were lucky then, that thing is junk. lol I used to order those for a group buy and they were almost always HORRIBLY underpowered. Mostly in the high 30s ~ low 40s. Now even 40mW IS still enough to do permanent damage, so if this persists I would still recommend seeing a doctor, but it is much much less likely than if that had really been 100mW.

2007Revolution said:

Okay, well I think you were lucky then, that thing is junk. lol I used to order those for a group buy and they were almost always HORRIBLY underpowered. Mostly in the high 30s ~ low 40s. Now even 40mW IS still enough to do permanent damage, so if this persists I would still recommend seeing a doctor, but it is much much less likely than if that had really been 100mW.

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Well that is good news. Still looks plenty powerful to someone who is not used to seeing lasers!

celestial said:

Well that is good news. Still looks plenty powerful to someone who is not used to seeing lasers!

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Yep, it is still very bright and still capable of serious eye damage, there was a story someone posted on this forum sometime ago about some who burned their retina with 15mW, so it can happen. Keep a close eye on you vision, and if it's not getting better soon, be sure to go to an ophthalmologist. Also try to be a little more careful in the future, and be sure to get some goggles. Also, welcome to the forum!