Laser Pointer Danger?

[kevin murphy <kdmurphy@voyager.co.nz>]

Further to Herb's query I have written to Tony Leverton of the Department
of Consumer Affairs, from whom the report emanated. I will let you know if
I receive an informative reply.

The report in the Dominion dd 17 January 1998 referred to Consumer Affairs
Ministry trading manager Tony Leverton "calling on retailers and importers
to voluntarily import and sell only low-powered laser pointers after
incidents have left people temporarily blind or with eye damage."

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On Tue, 20 Jan 1998 14:06:05 +1300 (NZDT) kevin murphy
<kdmurphy@voyager.co.nz> writes:
> A recent newspaper report in New Zealand refers to two incidents
> involving laser pointers which "left people temporarily blind or with
eye
> damage." The one incident involved a school teacher and the other a
policeman
> who suffered eye damage. In each case a beam was deliberately pointed at

> their eyes. The report states that the lasers are available as novelty
items
> ranging from class 1 (weakest) to class 3A. Both injury cases involved
> a 3A keyring.

I have been trying to keep track of  "incidents" of injuries caused by
low power lasers.
In the above case, what was the exact nature of the injury?  Did it
affect the sclera, macula, lens, or other parts of the retina?  How long
did the temporary blindness last?  Have there been any lasting effects of
the "eye damage"? Can any evidences of the "eye injury" still be
detected?

If anyone can obtain further information  from the New Zeland newspaper
or other sources, please let me know ASAP.

Thanks!

Herb Gottlieb from New York City
(Where our up-to-date files of verified eye damages from low-power laser
pointers is
still completely void, empty, bare, barren, zero, zilch, nothing)

------------------------------

Regards

Kevin Murphy