Laser pointers can cause serious eye damage to children

A new study reported in HealthDay finds that laser pointers may look harmless, but when children play with them, they can result in blurred vision, blind spots or perhaps even permanent vision loss. The report of this study was published September 1, 2016 in the journal Pediatrics.

Having a laser is not a crime

Possession of such an item is not in itself against the law, but a British law that came into force in 2010 states that if a person deliberately shines a laser into the eyes of a driver or into the cockpit of an aircraft, they are committing an offense that could result in a five-year prison sentence. .

Image copyright SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY Image caption High-power lasers are used in medicine

In other countries, such as Australia, New Zealand and the United States, laser attacks are considered a crime and are punished more harshly.

Following a number of serious incidents involving laser attacks on police helicopter pilots, Britain's National Air Policing Service is pushing for stricter laws to be introduced to regulate the purchase and use of laser devices.

And the Health Protection Agency proposes to ban the free circulation of high-power lasers above the second power class. High-power lasers can now be purchased online for anywhere from 20 to 500 pounds sterling ($30 to $750).

Welding

Electric welding creates radiation that is dangerous to the eyes. Professional welders are well aware of what an “eye burn” is. They call this condition "caught bunnies." This sometimes happens even to experienced welders, and even more often when safety precautions are violated by distracted or inexperienced workers. In medicine, there is even a special term for eye burns caused by electric welding: electrophotoophthalmia.

A mild to moderate burn is very unpleasant, but usually goes away within a few days. The conjunctiva may turn red and swell, lacrimation may increase, and the cornea may become cloudy.

Severe burns from electric welding cause the affected tissue to die. The cornea becomes cloudy, loses its transparency, and films form on the conjunctiva that cannot be separated and removed.

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Harmful bacteria can enter the affected tissue. If treatment is not started on time, the likelihood of an unfavorable course of the disease will increase sharply, including complete and permanent loss of vision.

Professionals protect their eyes and face with masks, the glass of which has special properties and does not transmit UV and IR radiation.

Of course, the child does not have such a mask, but the bright spark and crackling sound of the welding machine will certainly attract the child’s attention. Parents should explain from early childhood why they should not look at welding with unprotected eyes. If this does happen, it is necessary to immediately take the child to emergency eye care. Timely treatment will most likely relieve not only the consequences of the injury, but also its painful and very unpleasant symptoms.

Laser radiation is narrowly directed forced energy flows. It can be continuous, of one power, or pulsed, where the power periodically reaches a certain peak. Energy is generated using a quantum generator - a laser. The flow of energy consists of electromagnetic waves that propagate parallel to each other. This creates a minimum light scattering angle and a certain precise directionality.

Dangerous green color

If you point a laser pointer at your eye, you will feel a bright flash. This can distract you, cause temporary loss of vision in the affected eye, and sometimes cause what is called retinal afterimage, an optical illusion.

Image caption Half of British pilots were targeted by laser attacks in 2020

Conventional laser pointers project a narrow beam of light, but its diameter widens as the distance increases. More powerful lasers can cause more serious damage - large dark spots float in the victim's eyes for a long time, sometimes even bleeding.

Lasers used for gaming typically emit infrared signals.

The human eye cannot see a laser beam with a wavelength above or below a certain level.

The wavelength of light in lasers is usually measured in nanometers (nm)—one billionth of a meter. Lasers that can be purchased in stores are most often either red (wavelength 630 and 670 nm), green (532 nm) or blue (approximately 445 nm).

The most dangerous lasers usually emit green light.

There are four classes of lasers, differing in power:

Contraindications to the procedure

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Check with your doctor to see if you can undergo laser hair removal if you have:

Allergy. The reaction to laser hair removal is unpredictable. It is possible that the body’s response will be rashes, swelling and itching. Coupled with an existing allergy, it can lead to Quincke's edema.

Phlebeurysm. Laser hair removal negatively affects thinning veins, injures blood vessels and provokes damage to capillaries. There is also an opinion that any hair pulling can lead to the development of varicose veins.

Skin diseases such as eczema and psoriasis. Laser hair removal is completely contraindicated during an exacerbation of the disease.

Diabetes. In diabetes mellitus, tissue regeneration is impaired, which means hair removal can seriously damage the skin.

Pregnancy and lactation. The body's response to laser beam exposure during pregnancy has not been studied. This means that there is no clear opinion among doctors whether it is possible to get rid of unwanted vegetation in this way or not. It is better to abstain for several months and remember less effective but safe methods.

Completely contraindicated

Laser hair removal is completely contraindicated for the following diseases:

oncology
herpes
diabetes mellitus of some forms and types

Laser hair removal should also be avoided if you have individual intolerance.

The laser targets only dark hair, so if you have very light or gray hairs on your body, you should not do hair removal. There will be no harmful effect, just as there will be no beneficial effect.

Class 1

Lasers of the first power level (Class 1 and Class 1M) are safe and cannot cause eye injury.

Image copyright ap Image caption Athletes often suffer from laser hooligans. Pictured: Wayne Rooney was blinded by a laser while taking a penalty

But this category also includes more powerful lasers equipped with special protective casings, for example, CD lasers and laser printers.

Some fiber optic communications use Class 1M lasers.

How often can you epilate?

Some women, in pursuit of beauty, epilate their bodies almost every month. Is this harmful, and how often is this procedure required? It is impossible to completely get rid of unwanted hairs in one go, since the laser beam acts exclusively on active follicles, and the follicles that are in the sleep stage are not destroyed.

Only at the 3-5th circle of growth can we say that hair removal begins to produce results. Each stage lasts at least 40 days. This explains the long time interval between successive sessions.

Class 2

More powerful than class 1, but also considered safe because they operate pulsed: these are installed, for example, in discos.

Image copyright THINKSTOCK Image caption The barcode scanner also uses a laser

The second class also includes some laser pointers used by teachers or conference lecturers, as well as barcode scanners.

Some lasers used by builders for leveling and guiding are classified as Class 2M.

Is hair removal harmful in the deep bikini area?

There is no need to doubt whether laser hair removal of bikini is harmful. This technique gently and carefully treats the skin in intimate places. With the right approach to manipulation, eliminating all negative factors and contraindications, no complications arise. The only nuance that is important to know is that the follicles in the intimate area lie deeper than in other parts of the body (about 4 mm). This means that it is necessary to use a device that operates at longer wavelengths. The higher sensitivity of the skin in the delicate area explains why the patient may experience more pain during the procedure.

Class 3

Class 3 has two levels - Class 3R and Class 3B. Class 3R includes household laser tools and high-power laser pointers. All of them are dangerous to your eyesight.

Image copyright AFP Image caption Industrial lasers can cut logs and even steel

Class 3B devices can cause serious eye damage depending on the strength and duration of exposure.

These include lasers used for physical therapy and scientific research.

Scope of application of laser radiation

The properties of laser radiation allow it to be used in various spheres of human activity:

science - research, experiments, experiments, discoveries;
military defense industry and space navigation;
production and technical sphere;
local heat treatment - welding, cutting, engraving, soldering;
household use – laser sensors for barcode reading, CD readers, pointers;
laser spraying to increase the wear resistance of metal;
creation of holograms;
improvement of optical devices;
chemical industry - starting and analyzing reactions.

Class 4

The highest level lasers (Class 4 and Class 4M) are typically mains powered and are used in medicine (eg, laser surgery), scientific research, industry, military, and sometimes in light shows.

They are not intended to function as laser pointers and may cause serious injury to the eyes, skin or cause a fire.

There is no upper power limit for Class 4 lasers—some are capable of cutting steel. In 2020, Boeing Corporation testers experimentally destroyed an unmanned aerial vehicle using a powerful laser.

Precautions and protection against laser radiation

People whose activities involve the use of quantum generators are most at risk of exposure.

In accordance with sanitary standards, laser radiation is divided into four hazard classes. For the human body, the danger is the second, third, fourth classes.

Technical methods of protection against laser radiation:

Correct layout of industrial premises, interior decoration must comply with safety regulations (laser beams should not be mirrored).
Appropriate placement of radiating installations.
Fencing the area of possible exposure.
Procedure and compliance with the rules of maintenance and operation of equipment.

Another laser protection is individual. It includes the following equipment: glasses against laser radiation, protective covers and screens, a set of protective clothing (technological gowns and gloves), lenses and prisms that reflect rays. All employees must regularly undergo preventive medical examinations.

Using a laser at home can also be hazardous to health. Improper use of light pointers and laser flashlights can cause irreparable harm to a person. Protection against laser radiation provides simple rules:

Do not direct the radiation source at glass or mirrors.
It is strictly forbidden to direct the laser into the eyes of yourself or another person.
Gadgets with laser radiation must be stored out of the reach of children.

The action of a laser, depending on the modification of the emitter, can be thermal, energetic, photochemical and mechanical. The greatest danger is posed by a laser with direct radiation, with high intensity, narrow and limited beam direction, and high radiation density. Hazardous factors that contribute to exposure to radiation include high operating voltage in the network, air pollution with chemicals, intense noise, and X-ray radiation. Biological effects from laser radiation are divided into primary (local burn) and secondary (nonspecific changes as a response of the whole organism). It should be remembered that the thoughtless use of homemade lasers, light pointers, lamps, laser flashlights can cause irreparable harm to others.

How does the eye work?
Welding

Laser devices and pointers: dangerous entertainment for children “Don’t look at the welding, you’ll go blind!” Each of us has heard this phrase from our parents at least once, and probably told it to our children. “You can’t shine a laser pointer into your eyes!”, “You can’t enter a room with a quartz lamp on!” - Same. MedAboutMe will try to figure out how justified these statements are.

How does the eye work?

The human eyes, and other mammals and birds too, are a wonderful biological device, an optical device that allows us to see.

The lens-shaped transparent cornea separates the contents of the eye from the outside world. Together with the opaque sclera, it makes up the first layer of the eye. The cornea performs functions comparable to a window in a house: through it light enters the organ of vision.

The second, choroid, includes the iris, its anterior part, as well as the ciliary body and choroid - the middle and posterior parts. The iris not only determines the color of the eyes, but also serves as a diaphragm: the pupil located in the center of the iris narrows or expands depending on the degree of illumination, regulating the beam of light entering the eye.

Inside the ciliary body there is also a small, but very important for visual acuity, accommodative muscle. The ability of the eye to see both distant and close objects depends on it, since it changes the shape of the crystalline lens - a natural lens.

The back of the choroid is called the choroid. It nourishes the third layer: the retina.

The retina includes several layers of special types of nerve cells, which, in fact, provide the eye with the ability to see. In these cells, light is converted into an electrical impulse that is transmitted by the optic nerve to the brain, which recognizes and interprets the signals it receives. There are two types of visual cells: rods and cones. Their main part is located in the central part of the retina, in the macula.

The ability of the eye to see depends on the work of all its components, all its departments. Violation of the functions of any of the departments leads to deterioration or loss of vision. This condition can be temporary or permanent, irreversible.

Eye injuries from laser, welding, quartz lamp

The dangers posed by a quartz lamp, welding and laser emitters are not the same. A quartz lamp is a source of ultraviolet radiation, under the influence of which a burn of eye tissue develops. The likelihood of recovery from this type of injury depends on the extent of the injury. Mild to moderate burns can be treated by restoring the eye's ability to see. Severe burns leave behind irreversible damage that significantly reduces visual acuity or even causes blindness.

Electric welding emits infrared and ultraviolet radiation, which can also cause damage to the eyes, from mild corneal burns to retinal damage.

Burns from ultraviolet and infrared radiation are not felt immediately, but after several hours, causing pain, swelling, profuse lacrimation, and photophobia.

Otherwise, the laser beam works. Possessing great penetrating power and high energy density in the cross section of the beam, the laser penetrates into the deep structures of the eye and destroys the sensitive nerve cells of the retina, irreversibly. There is no pain felt.

The degree of danger of a laser is determined by many of its characteristics. Some lasers do not pose a danger because, due to their relatively long wavelength and low power, they are not able to penetrate the outer membranes of the eye. Others even penetrate optically opaque materials that are impervious to infrared and ultraviolet radiation.

There is a classification of lasers according to the degree of danger, from the first, practically safe for the eyes and body, to the fourth, which includes devices of high power and radiation density that can cause damage not only to the sensitive structures of the eye, but also to human skin. Lasers of the fourth hazard class can even ignite flammable materials, while devices belonging to classes 1 and 2 are dangerous only in certain, unlikely conditions. Hazard class 2 includes, in particular, laser scanners of cash registers and recognition devices.

How to determine the danger level of a laser

As already mentioned, class 1 and 2 lasers are practically safe. The first class includes, for example, the family of laser mice. Their power is so low that they do not pose a danger. Laser barcode scanners belong to class 2. The beam from them can only be seen under certain conditions. The radiation source can cause damage to the organs of vision only if the beam continuously impacts the retina from a minimum distance for at least 30 seconds. Class 2a lasers are installed and secured in such a way that accidental exposure of the beam to the eyes is completely excluded. This is the radiation source in DVD-ROM, for example.

The third class is divided into two subclasses. 3a lasers are dangerous, but you can close your eyes with minimal harm. A class 3b radiation source is certainly dangerous; you can’t even close your eyes; it even burns your skin. Such sources are installed in CD-ROMs and laser printers. The danger is also increased by the fact that the beams of these lasers are invisible. You can lose your sight without noticing the source of danger.

Dangerous class 3b includes any laser whose beam is visible without fog or smoke from the side, as well as all powerful laser pointers and, in general, all sources more powerful than 5 mW. Such lasers, unfortunately, are often used in clubs and discos to create visual effects. At the same time, they are often directed directly at the crowd.

All cutting lasers belong to the very dangerous fourth class.

Fact!
In the summer of 2008, about 30 people who participated in the Aquamarine festival lost their sight. They suffered serious and irreversible retinal injuries caused by lasers used during the show.
Lasers have been used in the entertainment industry for many years, and this equipment is quite affordable. Sometimes it is purchased by people who have no idea about safety regulations.
There have been cases of vision loss as a result of laser burns in other cities, although not as widespread.

Protecting the eyes of a child or teenager from burns with a quartz lamp

A home quartz lamp is one of the devices whose benefits are ambiguous when used in everyday life. Constant quartzization of residential premises creates too sterile conditions in which the immune system weakens as unnecessary. In addition, quartzization is accompanied by the synthesis of toxic ozone. After turning off the lamp, it is necessary to ventilate the room well.

Do not turn on the lamp in a room if there are people or animals in it. If a child is being irradiated for medical reasons, the procedure should be carried out wearing protective glasses with high UV protection.
The switch must be located so that the child cannot, under any circumstances, be able to turn on the lamp himself.

Accidental eye burns are unpleasant and painful, but disappear within a few days. Severe injuries can lead to damage to the deep structures of the organ of vision and blindness. Cataracts are likely to develop.

Welding

A mild to moderate burn is very unpleasant, but usually goes away within a few days. The conjunctiva may turn red and swell, lacrimation may increase, and the cornea may become cloudy.

Severe burns from electric welding cause the affected tissue to die. The cornea becomes cloudy, loses its transparency, and films form on the conjunctiva that cannot be separated and removed.

Professionals protect their eyes and face with masks, the glass of which has special properties and does not transmit UV and IR radiation.

Important!
If you receive a welding burn, you should not allow your child to rub his eyes, as this will only worsen his condition and increase pain and inflammation.
You should also not use eye drops unless prescribed by a doctor. Some of these drugs contain substances that can cause irritation to the mucous membranes. In case of a burn, they can worsen the condition of the injured eye.

Laser devices and pointers: dangerous entertainment for children

As a rule, ordinary laser pointers sold in kiosks and stores fall into the hands of children. They are most often made in China. You cannot trust what is written on the product body or its packaging. Practice shows that real characteristics can differ greatly from those stated, both up and down.

Even low-power laser radiation sources are dangerous for a child’s eyes. And some particularly inventive teenagers manage to install much more powerful radiation sources into the body of an ordinary low-power pointer, which they “extract” from an old printer, for example.

If a child has a laser pointer of any power, it is necessary to explain safety precautions to him and make sure that the child understands everything. And even after that, do not leave him alone with a pointer, without adult supervision.

Never use a powerful pointer on the street.
When playing home laser entertainment for children, you need to make sure that the beam does not fly out the window.
It is strictly forbidden to direct the beam at the windows of houses, balconies, the faces of passers-by, or animals. A laser beam directed at a flying aircraft can give rise to very serious criminal charges.
Remember that neither regular sunglasses nor even welding helmets will protect your eyes from the laser. But the beam can be reflected from them and end up somewhere unknown.
Make sure that there is a push-button switch on the pointer, which must be kept pressed constantly.
Relatively powerful laser beams can be dangerous even when reflected. The beam can be reflected from any glass or polished surface: from the floor, furniture walls, table surface, etc. Therefore, it is dangerous to play with a laser pointer with pets. In the heat of the game, you may not notice that the beam was reflected from the laminate on the floor or the mirror in the hallway, and the reflection got into the eyes of your pet or, even worse, the child himself holding a pointer.
If a child complains of blurred vision, it is necessary to visit an ophthalmologist as quickly as possible.

“Don’t look at the welding, you’ll go blind!” Each of us has heard this phrase from our parents at least once, and probably said it to our own. “You can’t shine a laser pointer into your eyes!”, “You can’t enter a room with a quartz lamp on!” - Same. MedAboutMe will try to figure out how justified these statements are.

The human eyes, and other mammals and birds too, are a wonderful biological device, an optical device that allows us to see.

The back of the choroid is called the choroid. It nourishes the third layer: the retina.

The dangers posed by a quartz lamp, welding and laser emitters are not the same. A quartz lamp is a source of ultraviolet radiation, under the influence of which eye tissue develops. The likelihood of recovery from this type of injury depends on the extent of the injury. Mild to moderate burns can be treated by restoring the eye's ability to see. Severe burns leave behind irreversible damage that significantly reduces visual acuity or even causes blindness.

Electric welding emits infrared and ultraviolet radiation, which can also cause damage to the eyes, from mild corneal burns to retinal damage.

Burns from ultraviolet and infrared radiation are not felt immediately, but after several hours, causing pain, swelling, profuse lacrimation, and photophobia.

All cutting lasers belong to the very dangerous fourth class.

In the summer of 2008, about 30 people who participated in the Aquamarine festival lost their sight. They suffered serious and irreversible retinal injuries caused by lasers used during the show.

Lasers have been used in the entertainment industry for many years, and this equipment is quite affordable. Sometimes it is purchased by people who have no idea about safety regulations.

There have been cases of vision loss as a result of laser burns in other cities, although not as widespread.

Do not turn on the lamp in a room if there are people or animals in it. If a child is being irradiated for medical reasons, the procedure should be carried out wearing protective glasses with high UV protection.
The switch must be located so that the child cannot, under any circumstances, be able to turn on the lamp himself.

Doctors' opinion

Laser hair removal, the contraindications and consequences of which are actively discussed by the medical community, is a completely safe cosmetic method. The vast majority of experts are confident in this.

Opinion of Elena Malysheva

According to Elena Malysheva, for irrevocable, and most importantly, safe hair removal, you need to choose only a proven clinic and a professional hairdresser.

Watch a video recording of Elena Malysheva’s program about the most effective hair removal.

Plastic surgeon, Ph.D. Sergey Grigorievich Chub

S. G. Chub confirms that laser hair removal helps to completely get rid of unwanted hair in just 4-6 procedures.

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