Laser toys harm vision

An 18-month study of paediatric patients has raised concerns that some classes of laser novelty toys have caused significant long-term damage to vision.

The study, published in Eye journal last week, focused on laser injuries in a set of patients from Sheffield aged from 8-15 years, one of whom was left with permanent scars as a result of a laser beam being flashed in his eye for no more than a few seconds.

Fahd Quhill, consultant ophthalmic surgeon and senior lecturer at the Royal Hallamshire Hospital, said: ‘Misuse of these laser products can lead to irreversible damage to the eye. The retina is a very sensitive part of the eye and once damage is done, it is irreparable.’