University Eye Clinic warns of injuries caused by laser pointers
Pupil suffers eye injury and is successfully operated on / Experts at the Medical Center - University of Freiburg warn of the dangers of illegal laser pointers
A twelve-year-old boy was admitted to the Medical Center - University of Freiburg with severe visual impairment at the end of October. A classmate had shone a laser pointer into his left eye from a few meters away. "The retina was damaged and a hemorrhage occurred. The boy was then only able to see rough contours and movements," says Prof. Dr. Wolf A. Lagrèze, Head Physician of the Neuroophthalmology, Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus Treatment Section of the Medical Center - University of Freiburg. The patient was lucky: the hemorrhage could be completely removed by surgery. Permanent damage was prevented and the pupil was able to see normally again after around a week. "Such an accident doesn't always end so lightly," adds Lagrèze. The expert therefore urgently warns against careless use of the powerful laser pointers.
Laser pointers are not toys
The product used was a class three laser pointer, the sale of which is prohibited in Germany. The products are often purchased over the Internet. "Some pointers offer color effects and patterns and, as toys, quickly fall into the hands of children and young people. There is often no corresponding safety warning," says Lagrèze. Weaker laser pointers, which are usually used in presentations, belong to class one or two. Although they are considered safe for the eyes, they can also cause long-term and sometimes irreversible damage to the retina if shone directly into the eye.
Lagrèze therefore emphasizes: "Anyone who has accidentally looked into a laser beam and subsequently notices flickering, blurred or blind spots in their field of vision should seek immediate ophthalmological treatment. Parents and educators must ensure that such powerful lasers are not circulated."
You can find a video on this topic on the YouTube channel of the Medical Center - University of Freiburg: www.youtube.com/shorts/-SKjeMLBzo8
Contact:
Prof. Dr. Wolf A. Lagrèze
Head physician
Section Neuroophthalmology, Pediatric Ophthalmology, Strabismus Treatment
Eye Center
Uniklinik Freiburg
Phone: 0761 270 40110
wolf.lagreze@uniklinik-freiburg.de
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