04/03/2026
๐ ๐ฌ๐ฉ๐ฅ๐ข๐ญ ๐ฌ๐๐๐จ๐ง๐. ๐๐๐ซ๐ฆ๐๐ง๐๐ง๐ญ ๐๐๐ฆ๐๐ ๐.
โ ๏ธ Laser pointers are not toys
Laser pointers may seem harmless, but the retina tells a different story.
On the left: a laser induced macular burn in a patient in his twenties.
On the right: a healthy retina.
The small dark lesion visible in the damaged eye is a permanent scar on the macula, the area responsible for sharp central vision. Injuries like this are often painless at first, which means the damage can go unnoticed until vision begins to deteriorate.
Lasers above 5 mW can cause irreversible retinal damage in seconds. Many inexpensive or unlabelled devices exceed recommended safety limits.
๐๐๐ฌ๐๐ซ ๐ฌ๐๐๐๐ญ๐ฒ ๐ฆ๐๐ญ๐ญ๐๐ซ๐ฌ.
* Never aim a laser at a person, animal, or vehicle
* Do not allow children to play with laser devices
* Avoid cheap or unlabelled products
* Never look directly into a laser beam
If you are concerned about possible laser exposure, book a comprehensive eye examination with Van Eeden Optometrists.
