The same lasers military officials say have saved civilian lives might be blinding some US troops. Troops at checkpoints, on vehicle patrol and in military convoys use “green dazzler” lasers to get drivers’ attention. One problem with this: it looks like the lasers can cause permanent eye damage including blindness, at least when used improperly.
As detailed in Star & Stripes, there have been 45 documented injuries to soldiers from lasers, with at least two including permanent eye damage. According to Stars & Stripes, inquiries with military officials, Iraqi hospitals and human rights groups have revealed no data on laser related eye injuries to Iraqis (which of course does not mean civilians have not been injured).
While the green lasers used are purportedly eye safe if used from a proper distance, the uptick in injuries has military officials beefing up laser training requirements and accident reporting. The lasers in use by Marines in Iraq and Afghanistan, the Green Beam Designator III, will soon be fitted with safety controls that reduce the laser power if someone breaches the 65 meter safety zone.
- Soldiers Blinded, Hospitalized by Laser ‘Friendly Fire’ (Wired, March 2009)
- Vancouver pilot blinded over city by laser beam (Canada.com)
- Jail after laser shone onto plane (BBC News)
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