Floaters following green laser exposure

[Newbie86]

Hi Community!

I’ve been reading a few of the posts here and wanted your 2c worth on my situation. I do have a specialist appointment booked and yes, I realise no one on here is a doctor but I really appreciate your input.

I was on a walking tour a month ago and the guide was using a very bright green laser to point things out. I don’t believe the laser ever caught me directly - a couple of times I was in front of the laser could see the green glow from the pointer as it was being shone and another time the guide briefly pointed the laser at a green painted metal railing by mistake and I saw the dazzle off the railing.

I didn’t ever recall feeling the warmth of the laser on my face and I don’t recall any flashblindness. What I do have is a doubling of floaters - I have a number of floaters that were definitely not there before.

Anyone had a similar experience or an idea of how the laser would have caused the increase in floaters?

I asked the guide for the make of the laser - it’s a 303, which I understand can be hugely overpowered.

Lastly, I understand that green lasers can have dangerous amounts of IR. If there is an IR leak, will the IR be coherent like the visible beam or can it be spread out (I.e. could you be avoiding the visible beam but be caught by the IR output?).

Thanks everyone in advance.

 

[diachi]

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[paul1598419]

303 green laser pointers are well known to be around 70 mW to 80 mW in optical power. Vitreous floaters are not caused by uncollimated light entering your eyes. We are not ophthalmologists here, and as diachi told you, you need to take this up with one of them. Don't be surprised if he tells you he can see nothing damaged in your eyes.