An idiot pointed a blue-violet laser at my face.

[Tooth]

Hi there! Not sure if this is appropriate here, but I figure you guys would be the most knowledgeable in the area. I was at a restaurant with some friends and their friends when two of them started playing with some lasers that they said they got from China for like 3 bucks (we live in Australia). I thought nothing of it (I've never been all that interested in lasers).

About half an hour later, I was reading a business card when one of the friend of friends thought it would be a good idea to get my attention by shining his laser into my eyes. He was sitting on the opposite corner of the rectangular table around probably 6 feet away, and the light would have entered my eyes from NW relative to me.

I did not look directly at the source of the laser but the beam definitely hit my eyes (at an angle). I was looking down at this business card and my vision lit up with shades of purple and blue momentarily before I instinctively reacted and pulled away. I didn't have any afterimages, blurriness or other immediate reaction apart from the momentary blindness. After getting into a shouting match with him, he let me inspect his laser and I took some photos of the labels on it.

I let it go as I did not perceive there to be any damage, and I decided I'd research a bit more into the danger of lasers once I was home. Upon googling around, I was startled at how dangerous his actions were, and am very pissed off he did this. However it's been about 9 hours since the incident and I have not noticed anything different about my vision aside from that eye being ever so slightly itchy (although thats probably because I have been touching it, trying to check for anything odd). I did the test where you look at the grid of squares and didn't have any issues with it.

A side note: I have poor vision at far distances; luckily I was not wearing my glasses at the restaurant.

Another side note: my other friend said he pointed the same laser at his skin and it would start to sting after roughly 5 seconds.

Here is what it said on the laser:

http://imgur.com/4X8lqx0 http://imgur.com/mTSbQWX http://imgur.com/hdrKdfZ

Should I still be concerned for the health of my eye?

Isn't this type of laser illegal in Australia?

What would be my best course of action against this individual? He wasn't particularly remorseful...

 

[diachi]

It's hard to say if the power level of that laser is safe, cheap Chinese lasers vary wildly in power - there is no QC.

The label says <100mW, which is probably accurate. It could be anywhere between 5mW and 100mW, which is considered unsafe. Anything above >5mW is considered unsafe for the eyes - below that power and your blink reflex is fast enough to protect you.

Go see an eye doctor ASAP if you're concerned, we unfortunately can't diagnose these issues over the internet, and even then, I don't think anyone here is an eye doctor.

It sounds like you're probably fine, but none of us can confirm that.

Also ... maybe get friends that are a little more responsible? Your friends could potentially have caused you permanent eye damage.

 

[dden4012]

Your friend needs some dog crap on his door handles.

 

[Sta]

Your friend needs some dog crap on his door handles.

I believe human feces would be more suitable for an occasion of such severity.

 

[Radim]

I would strongly recommend to see an eye specialist immediately (the sooner the better).

You might be fine, but these 405 nm lasers are a bit tricky - as it is at the edge of visible spectre (about 400 nm - 700 nm) the flashblindess is not as high as at green laser (532 nm for example), however there is still a high power. In addition 405 nm is a short wavelength - near UV - meaning the photons are of high energy - these are absorbed by outer structures of the eye, so you might not have damaged retina but cornea. This is why some people with cornea transplant might see UV radiation as these transplants might not filter it. Take the pictures of the laser label with you to the eye specialist.

You might find usefull to study this thread before: http://laserpointerforums.com/f53/hit-eye-1000mw-445nm-blue-laser-69469.html (well, this case was much more worse than yours IMO)

But do not over worry, this is not very helpfull. Just go to the eye specialist (best to the one who specialises on laser injuries) and wait for diagnosis.

 

[InfinitusEquitas]

1. No one here can give medical advice, if you're worried, see an eye doctor, preferably an ophthalmologist, but even an optometrist will be able to detect any significant damage.

2. Since you have not noticed any issues, or blind spots by now, you are most likely completely fine. Since you do go to an eye doctor for nearsightedness, consider making an early appointment though, for peace of mind.

3. Itchiness is definitely not related to the laser, that's just psychosomatic.

4. Most likely that laser is around 60mW based on what you describe. The downside to 405nm lasers is that they can have very good beam specs, and even ~20mW is enough to do damage.

5. Australia has very strict laws where lasers are concerned, anything over 1 or 2mW is illegal. Depending on your relationship with this person, or lack there of, you would be well within your rights to possibly file assault charge (it would be aggravated assault in the US), and definitely to report him for possession of a laser, which does result in some hefty fines.

Chances are, you're completely fine. Welcome to LPF :beer:

 

[Encap]

ditto everything above.

Eye damage can take a while to show up---to be 100% safe see an eye MD ASAP to mitigate any problem caused if possible and if you wish, report it the incident to the authorities/police. Nobody has a right anywhere to point a laser into you eyes. Your "friend" needs the laser taken away from him for being an irresponsible idiot and to prevent same or worse happening to others, at a minimum

 

[InfinitusEquitas]

Regular physician will not be able to see anything, need at least and optometrist.

Also eye damage is unfortunately cumulative, and while we do heal, the extent of the healing is limited.

 

[Shakenawake]

InfinitusEquitas said it best. at the very least, this person needs to be made aware that it is absolutely not ok to shine any laser, and especially one over 5mW, into anyone's eyes, or any animals for that matter. sounds like you will be ok, it's good you werent looking directly into it

 

[CynicalBrad]

Seems like you may need to consider more mature and responsible friends/ But seriously, see an eye doctor asap as the rest have said. the damage may not be noticeable now but it could get worse and by then it is too late to help lessen it.

 

[GSS]

Why in the OP did the "business card" come up in link the 2 times it was mentioned.??

Tooth, I hope you did go to a doctor as many said, as we haven't heard back and tell us the I hope good news? You were smart enough to ask

Ok thx Radim, I see them popping up as "Shopping links added by Skimworks" I guess it's become the norm..

 

[Radim]

Why in the OP did the "business card" come up in link the 2 times it was mentioned.??

...

Contextual adds? I do not see them as links...

 

[Alaskan]

"Violet-Blue" if 405nm, off the top of my head without knowing the power level etc., that is one of the most dangerous laser pointers to get hit with. If 405nm it is single mode and can stay focused into a very tiny diameter beam for a long distance without much divergence. Across a table, hardly any beam spreading at all which means the power density can remain high to easily blind someone. Although if you do not notice anything in your vision, for myself, I would not be so worried but that does not mean you should not seek medical advice, except to take our advice to see a doctor who specializes in eye injuries, I wouldn't take anything said here with much faith.

 

[Tooth]

Hey guys, thanks for all of the information. I've been booked in with an Optometrist for Thursday. No eye doctors of any kind were available in my area until then. Fingers crossed there's no damage... That being said, I still haven't noticed any signs of damage. I'll let you guys know what the doc says. I've already cut the moron who caused this incident out of my life. I've got him blocked on social medias and have told our mutual friend that he's burnt a bridge (and possibly a retina/cornea). I really appreciate your collective advice; I don't think I would've seen an eye doctor if the response wasn't so unanimous.

 

[Radim]

Hey guys, thanks for all of the information. I've been booked in with an Optometrist for Thursday. No eye doctors of any kind were available in my area until then. Fingers crossed there's no damage... That being said, I still haven't noticed any signs of damage. I'll let you guys know what the doc says. I've already cut the moron who caused this incident out of my life. I've got him blocked on social medias and have told our mutual friend that he's burnt a bridge (and possibly a retina/cornea). I really appreciate your collective advice; I don't think I would've seen an eye doctor if the response wasn't so unanimous.

Good luck, rep+ for a good decision. Anyway maybe this incidend will get you a new hobby - lasers.

 

[CynicalBrad]

Eyes just aren't replaceable just yet so you can't be too careful with the set you have.