Laser Eye Damage

[Aesiron]

I just thought I'd share my story here to emphasise how important goggles are, and that lasers are not toys!!!

About 2 weeks ago on Tuesday I got hit in the eye with a 5mW laser several times, I didn't blink or look away because I genuinely had no idea that lasers sold at a market could be capable of serious damage. As a result I had about 4 scomotas (blind spots) caused by the laser.

This was when I was on a school exchange in Beijing, so I was dabbling around on the internet and the stories scared me a lot, so I was quite worried. When I got back I went to the hospital in A&E, they looked at it and did scans and gave me drops and so on. THANKFULLY the actual damage was tiny and the scomotas were inflammation of some of the cells.

I went again last Thursday and they said that it had been recovering slightly, so hopefully in several months it should be nulled beyond notice.



But this raises a serious point, I was genuinely shocked at the lasers they were selling at the market. There were some which could burn matches and I thought how lucky I was to not have been shined with that kind.. I did some research and found this place, I saw xoul's post and I was like "oh sh**!!!", when I saw my retina there was no where near as much damage though.

But seriously, if anyone else is out there, ALWAYS wear goggles, I was lucky that it didn't hit me in the centre or I would have to ditch exams because I wouldn't be able to read, and that it is mainly inflammation. But seriously, LASERS ARE NOT TOYS, hopefully my story will discourage you from using them.

Anyone else got similar incidents? Would be interesting to see...

 

[lasersbee]

Thanks for sharing... Laser Safety Goggles/Glasses
are must for Lasers >5mW..

The Laser you were hit in the eye with could have
been >5mW.


Jerry

 

[Gun]

hopefully my story will discourage you from using them.

Most of us are on this forum because we like using lasers, don't try to discourage us from using them.

Thanks for sharing your story, hopefully it heals up.

 

[Sigurthr]

Abstinence is not the answer, safety education is.

Glad to hear your damage may not be permanent. Unfortunately this type of incident is the result of >5mW lasers being sold as <5mW and being sold to anyone with the money without any kind of safety briefing. Many people simply do not know that lasers can blind. Then of course there are the delinquents who don't care if they hurt or blind someone, but that is another story.

 

[firelaser]

Most of us are on this forum because we like using lasers, don't try to discourage us from using them.

Thanks for sharing your story, hopefully it heals up.

^
agreed by that logic.."discourage use" you say that kid got shot stop using guns, someone got ran over stop using cars, its a reasonable reaction but if you think about it
not a logical or reasonable one. the best reaction is know fully the dangers of your car gun laser and use it safety with the recommended safety devices, seat belts, safetys and goggles

 

[Mohrenberg]

^
agreed by that logic.."discourage use" you say that kid got shot stop using guns, someone got ran over stop using cars, its a reasonable reaction but if you think about it
not a logical or reasonable one. the best reaction is know fully the dangers of your car gun laser and use it safety with the recommended safety devices, seat belts, safetys and goggles

MERICA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
It's my 2nd amendment right and you can't tell me what to do!!
I'm part of a well regulated militia that's going to stop an enemy with my guns if they make it through the entire United States military!
They may defeat the most powerful and advanced military in world history, but they don't stand a stance against my AR-15 covered in my warm gooey patriotism

 

[norbyx]

Thanks for sharing your story... lasers are very dangerous. Even reflections can blind you if the laser is strong enough...

 

[firelaser]

Thanks for sharing your story... lasers are very dangerous. Even reflections can blind you if the laser is strong enough...

hmm does a 1600mw blue laser qualify ? lol good thing i had a 5mw one long enough to learn about reflections before i got a blue

 

[EpicHam]

Yes, because driving off a bridge will kill you .
So don't drive cars.

Everything has its potential risks and dangers , but by being educated about them and vigilant of its pointy ends. Such risks to the informed are often almost negligible as compared to the unprepared.

So as always , sorry for your lost, and wishes you a swift full recovery.
However, don't blame the tool for your own mistake op:

 

[Aesiron]

Yes, because driving off a bridge will kill you .
So don't drive cars.

Everything has its potential risks and dangers , but by being educated about them and vigilant of its pointy ends. Such risks to the informed are often almost negligible as compared to the unprepared.

So as always , sorry for your lost, and wishes you a swift full recovery.
However, don't blame the tool for your own mistake op:

I'm aware that it was probably 90% my fault for not blinking immediately, but I honestly had no idea that lasers sold in some random market were capable of eye damage, it never struck me at all. There needs to be better education about the potential dangers of these things, I know you all love lasers but for the odd person who doesn't know anything about them - it could ruin their life simply because they didn't know.

 

[firelaser]

I'm aware that it was probably 90% my fault for not blinking immediately, but I honestly had no idea that lasers sold in some random market were capable of eye damage, it never struck me at all. There needs to be better education about the potential dangers of these things, I know you all love lasers but for the odd person who doesn't know anything about them - it could ruin their life simply because they didn't know.

an honest mistake, luckily your mistake was likely just a "fender bender', and you should be fine, i did the same thing when i got my first laser,, though i did not see any damage,, now if i did that with my 1600 mw blue laser id be in serious trouble,, but i know everything i need to know to prevent that now

 

[EpicHam]

- it could ruin their life simply because they didn't know.

ah well , we all have our time .
I nearly ripped my thumb off on a RC helicopter blade back when I was dumb enough to hold it in my hands to check for oscillations .

Pain received, lesson learnt .

It is true that such things can ruin people's life because they didn't know, thats why we all must be informed when we deal with heavy machinery, lab equipment and of course. Lasers
:beer:

 

[lazerphase]

Get a pair and get back into the game --> Safety

a pair of goggles...

 

[oST4T1Ko]

I'm aware that it was probably 90% my fault for not blinking immediately, but I honestly had no idea that lasers sold in some random market were capable of eye damage, it never struck me at all. There needs to be better education about the potential dangers of these things, I know you all love lasers but for the odd person who doesn't know anything about them - it could ruin their life simply because they didn't know.

IMO education is already out there. Even those who have never purchased a laser have heard from friends, or seen the labels that say "Never point at people, vehicals, planes etc.." I don't know a single person that doesn't know this regardless of whether they own a laser or not. Those labels are there for a reason, even on 1mW-5mW. So mentality should tell you, if 1mW could cause damage, imagine what more powerful laser can do. BTW, we can't discourage us from using our laser because we are aware of the risks of using them, and do so with proper safety.

 

[EpicHam]

IMO education is already out there. Even those who have never purchased a laser have heard from friends, or seen the labels that say "Never point at people, vehicals, planes etc.." I don't know a single person that doesn't know this regardless of whether they own a laser or not. Those labels are there for a reason, even on 1mW-5mW. So mentality should tell you, if 1mW could cause damage, imagine what more powerful laser can do. BTW, we can't discourage us from using our laser because we are aware of the risks of using them, and do so with proper safety.

side tracking here.
Has your laser rolled off your table yet

 

[oST4T1Ko]

side tracking here.
Has your laser rolled off your table yet

It has, but not while it was on. I'd never turn it on without my glasses on first.