Laser Pointers Not Toys Says American Academy of Ophthalmology

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SAN FRANCISCO, Feb. 25, 1998 -- American Academy of Ophthalmology spokesperson Martin Mainster, MD, PhD, advises parents to keep laser pointers away from infants and children in the August 1997 issue of Ophthalmology, the Academy's peer-reviewed journal.

In the Guest Editorial, Dr. Mainster explains that there are different classes of laser devices with varying amounts of power, and that laser pointers are class 3a devices with an output power of less than 5 milliwatts. Class 3b devices, which ophthalmologists use to treat conditions such as detached retinas and other retinal abnormalities, use power settings between 100 and 500 milliwatts, and can pose a serious ocular risk if used improperly. He then asserted, "It is theoretically possible to produce retinal (damage) by staring at a collimated class 3a laser beam for more than 10 seconds, so it is important to keep laser pointers away from infants and children."

In December 1997, the FDA issued a warning to parents and school officials about possible damage to children's eyes from laser pointers. This warning was prompted by reports of two school-based incidences, in which a teacher experienced a 10-day after-image and a cheerleader suffered vision loss from laser pointer exposures. The FDA warning stated: "the light from Class 3a lasers can be as intense, or even more intense, as that from the sun," and it concluded that "injuries associated with these products appear to be related to improper use." FDA Lead Deputy Commissioner Michael A. Friedman, MD, stated that laser pointers "are useful tools for adults that should be used by children only with adequate supervision."

In the Ophthalmology editorial, Dr. Mainster explains that laser pointers do not pose the same risk to adults because "pupil, blink, and aversion response terminate accidental laser pointer exposures in less than 0.25 seconds." He also pointed out that "the label of a class 3a red laser pointer cautions users to avoid shining a laser pointer beam into anyone's eyes," and he concluded: "It makes good sense to follow this advice, just as it is good common sense not to stare into the beam of a 35mm slide projector or the headlight of an approaching locomotive."

CONTACT: magazines, Arthur Stone, 415-561-8539, or broadcast media, Kimberly Westhoff, 415-447-0361, or newspapers, Nancy Roberts, 415-447-0214, all of American Academy of Ophthalmology, or email media@aao.org Web Site: http://www.eyenet.org