Laser pointer blamed for eye harm

Often used in presentations, laser pointers are devices that resemble pens and emit a narrow beam of laser light. Laser pointers sold in the United States are subject to a power limit imposed by the Food and Drug Administration, one that will not cause instant eye damage, although prolonged exposure may cause harm. Devices that exceed the FDA limit can be found online.

The Swiss boy’s laser was 30 times more powerful than the FDA limit. He bought it to pop balloons and burn holes in paper and his sister’s sneakers, his doctors said.

One day, he was playing with the pointer in front of a mirror, and he accidentally zapped his eyes with its green light several times. He noticed right away that his vision was blurry.

Examination showed a hemorrhage in his left eye and several tiny scars in his right eye. After four months, his vision showed some improvement but remained moderately impaired.

“I’m stunned that a kid can get access to . . . this type of power,’’ commented Dr. George A. Williams, chair of ophthalmology at the Oakland University School of Medicine in Royal Oak, Mich. “This is a legitimate public health menace.’’