Warning: Look away from the laser Published Dec. 15, 2009 By Staff Sgt. Angelique N. Smythe 451st Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs KANDAHAR AIRFIELD, Afghanistan -- Reports of eye injuries requiring treatment have increased throughout this war in Afghanistan as some servicemembers have been affected by weapons systems with light amplification stimulated emission of radiation, or lasers, from both friendly and enemy forces. Almost all aircraft, fighter jets, unmanned aerial vehicles, and helicopters, use laser weapons systems. Ground crews use them for targeting purposes or sights on handheld weapons. And the enemy uses lasers, as well, to cause damage to both aircrew and ground crew. "Because of that, we're seeing more injuries that are caused either accidentally or intentionally," said Lt. Col. Laura Bradhog, 451st Air Expeditionary Wing Surgeon General. "Lasers are a very strong light source, so if you get a direct hit from a laser, it's like getting a burn to the eyes. It can be very damaging as the eyes are a very delicate sensory organ." If anyone believes they have an injury due to exposure to laser, they are advised to seek medical attention. There are different kinds of lasers. Some are milder than others. "Some of the brighter onesm which you can visually see aren't actually the ones you have to worry about," said Colonel Bradhog. "For instance, the pointers they use in briefings are actually very low intensity lasers. The strength is based on the width of the laser, how close you are to the source, the duration of time exposed and the type of radiation they're using. Ultraviolet and infrared lasers are much stronger than the ones that are in the visible light range. So, probably the worst lasers that you could get exposed to are the infrared lasers, and, unfortunately, we can't see those." So what are the symptoms of laser eye injuries? Exposure to lower level lasers is similar to when someone takes a photograph using a bright flash. One might typically have a dazzle or flash blindness. Sometimes he or she may see double images, ghost images, shadows or temporary spots and vision may be temporarily reduced. But that usually goes away very quickly. Some people who've experienced laser incidents may have headaches, notice a glare or see halos over things. This can sometimes develop up to three days later. Anyone developing those symptoms should seek medical care at the earliest opportunity for documentation and to receive a thorough eye exam. A really serious injury could affect the macula, which is where all vision comes from. The macula is located in the back of the eye. If not treated, it could potentially become a permanent issue. Some things that can happen from a laser hitting the back of the eye include hemorrhaging of the retina, ocular holes in the retina or even detachment, said Colonel Bradhog. These can be repaired, ironically, using a medical laser or steroid injections. Sometimes the injury of the eye is not just the laser burn itself, but also due to the individual's body's inflammatory response, such as swelling. If individuals begin to develop symptoms that resemble those of a laser eye injury but don't recall being exposed, it doesn't mean they weren't. There are several types of lasers that cannot be perceived by a person's vision. What should someone do if they see a laser of any color? "One is to look away," said Colonel Bradhog. "And come see me as soon as their mission is over. We'll certainly see anyone who believes they may have been exposed. Most laser damages are completely recoverable without any permanent damage, but we still want to document it and make sure we make the follow up that they might require." People most at risk here are ground crew who receive aircraft as they return to the airfield, aircrew who are out there doing their mission, and anyone outside the wire doing military combat operations where they either use lasers or are exposed to the enemy's lasers.