Possible Diffused Light Damage?

Hey all,

I know this is probably one of the most common and most annoying posts you see, but I would be endlessly appreciative of any guidance you can offer.

I recently purchased a 200mw (rated 150mw after lens attenuation) 60 degree line laser. I hadn't received my safety goggles yet and wanted to try it out. I had the line pointed a white wall and viewed the line for a few minutes, off and on, probably some continuous gazes at the line for a minute. I was probably about 2-3 meters away for most of the time I was looking.

Since then I have been having a lot of panic attacks thinking that the floaters I've been seeing were caused by that (I was experiencing floaters before but now I can't stop seeing them). I know a lot of this is probably panic/anxiety induced and I went to an ophthalmologist and he did a full exam of my eye and retina and was confident that there was no damage.

I just wanted to check in with ya'll for some peace of mind, I know I was irresponsible and should have been using goggles, please save that part because I've been mentally beating myself up for the last week and am hanging on by a psychological thread.

I have no idea how the safety formula applies to line lasers, I'm assuming you don't just use the angle of the lens as the beam divergence? Anyways, just please let me know if you think its possible I did any damage to my eyes. I guess there's not really much I can do if the eye doctor already told me it was fine but if you think its possible I did some real damage to my eyes, I will go to the appointment I have made with a retinal specialist.

You'll be fine.

Realistically though, we can't offer any medical advice. We aren't medical professionals and we can't examine your eyes. If you're still concerned, see an ophthalmologist.

Thank you very much for your reply. I think I will go back to a retinal specialist just because my anxiety has been really terrible about the whole thing.

I really appreciate it.

diachi is correct, and if you are still concerned, you probably should see a specialist.

For anyone else who at have similar eye related questions, see below.

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Good advice from Mr diachi and Mr Bowtie.
Please seek a diagnosis from a medical professional if you have any concerns.
LPF can not offer any medical advice so this thread is now locked.

Cheers
RB