Laser Pointer: A Hidden Danger Threatening the Retina with Serious Injuries

The German "Eye" Foundation warned of the danger of the laser pointer to children's eyes, as it may lead to serious injuries to the retina.

The foundation explained that the laser is focused in the eye through the refractive power of the cornea and lens, and thus the laser energy is focused on a small spot of the retina, which creates high temperatures that cause the network of blood vessels and optic cells to melt.

Loss of the visual field

Symptoms indicating retinal injuries are the loss of the visual field, which often occurs in the area of ​​​​the sharpest vision, and thus visual acuity decreases and the child then suffers from blurred vision, which requires immediate consultation with an ophthalmologist.

Important warning for parents

The foundation indicated that not every laser pointer is equally harmful, as green and blue light have a shorter wavelength, compared to red light, and therefore they are more active, and therefore more dangerous.

To avoid serious health risks, parents should not allow children to play with or be exposed to a laser pointer.