Lasers Pointed at Airplanes Cause Danger to Pilots' Eyes, Passengers
Commercial airplane pilots have been reporting more and more powerful lasers from the ground are being pointed at their aircraft. This morning CNN reported that these incidents happen approximately 10.5 times a day across the United States, and just yesterday the Federal Aviation Administration reported that there were 11 incidents reported in New Jersey alone.
Lasers can damage the eyes in several ways, from burning the cornea to causing macular holes, which can lead to permanent vision loss. When pointed at commercial aircraft, they can endanger the pilots and put their passengers in jeopardy. Unfortunately, this trend is growing as handheld lasers become more powerful and more affordable, although it is a federal crime to point a laser at an aircraft.
Is your laser pointer dangerous enough to cause eye injury? Learn about the FDA's recommendations and how to determine the safety of your own laser pointers.