A leading ophthalmologist has spoken out against the use and sale of high-powered lasers in an effort to prevent an increase in the already worrying number of cases which illustrate the dangers associated with such devices.
Speaking to the Sunday Times, Fahd Quhill insists that these lasers should be banned after shocking figures emerged which showed that at least 47 children have suffered permanent eye damage in the last four years as a result of the use and misuse of hand-held laser pointers.
The specialist, who works as a consultant ophthalmologist at the Royal Hallamshire Hospital in Sheffield, insisted that it is time to properly address the issue before more children fall victim to the potential consequences of using one.
"As an eye doctor I don't want to see any more children, pilots or anybody being injured because of these devices," he asserted. "Unfortunately there are no medical or surgical treatments that can reverse laser retinal injuries."
Having treated 10 children who suffered permanent eye damage since 2012, Mr. Quhill set about researching the nationwide statistics in such cases and learned that a further 37 children were treated for the same injury in the same time period.
With the sale of laser pens and laser guns increasing dramatically in the last ten years, Mr. Quhill insists a clampdown is needed in order to prevent further injury to any individual unfortunate enough to fall victim to what Mr. Quhill deems "offensive weapons".
As its stands, Public Health England asserts that lasers with a maximum power output of one milliwatt should be sold to the public.
