Aa
Is looking into laser bad for eyes?
Hello!!
I was in a craft store and accidentally i looked into the barcode scanner shining directly at me!
I was about 1/2 a meter away from it and I didn't look into it for a long period of time.
My right eye is slightly hurting but maybe I am being a bit sensitive....
Are barcode scanners dangerous?
Don't they have to be safe so that the workers can look into them when they scan an item?
I am really worried!
An answer would be very very much appreciated!
Thank you so much! :)
I was in a craft store and accidentally i looked into the barcode scanner shining directly at me!
I was about 1/2 a meter away from it and I didn't look into it for a long period of time.
My right eye is slightly hurting but maybe I am being a bit sensitive....
Are barcode scanners dangerous?
Don't they have to be safe so that the workers can look into them when they scan an item?
I am really worried!
An answer would be very very much appreciated!
Thank you so much! :)
=
1 Comments
This was not helpful. I did not mean to give a thumb up and it won't go down for me. New to this site. I wanted to give a thumb down.
Hello!
Just as usual people have such an ignorance... I too have serious problems since I was struck in my eyes by laserscanners cl. 2 ev. (not probable) cl. 1. Reduced sharpness and increadibly hyper sensitive to light. Still have those problem now over 2 years later. That have more or less destroyed great parts of my life. Regreatably the problem is increased everytime I get laser in the eyes from these laserscanners people continue to wave around with in stores. There are insanely amount of people now that are hurt (by various types of lasers) and if you have problems after the exposure of that laserscanner you probably like everyone else feeling problem, have been hurt!
I have contacted manifacturers of lasers two times now, wanting answer to the question about the current societal situation without any answer from any part. When the rule of legislation passed here in Sweden about licencing cl. 3 laser (pointers) 1 jan 2014 companies (according to a scientist I spoke with from Sweden) turned boxes upside down and gave away the pointers to the "finders keepers", expressing their view on the subject according to the latter. Some of these companies seems to care nothing for human health related to Sweden at least.
Just because eye doctors year in and year out say to all of us with serious problems in life that we arn´t hurt, some sitting crying of the pain infront of them, seem to mean no more than that the doctors themselves lacking serious amounts of comeptence in the area. The issue about competence has already been acknowledged by an authority among eye doctors here in Sweden about a year ago that raised the alarm nation wide. Some others, some doctors others not, have the same thesis or at least insinuation!
The problem is firstly that according to the Swedish counterpart of boards controling laser issues, that business producing lasers themselves have done those lists of classifications. When talking to scientist checking the science behind the tests bars conducted I really argued some via the telephone down on their backs for not including absolute sceintifical facts readily falsifying big parts of their whole thesis.
Be aware of the lasers and second above serious lack of insight in the whole subject you just read above EVERY TIME! Check and re check and you receave an totally other truth of the subject!
Just as usual people have such an ignorance... I too have serious problems since I was struck in my eyes by laserscanners cl. 2 ev. (not probable) cl. 1. Reduced sharpness and increadibly hyper sensitive to light. Still have those problem now over 2 years later. That have more or less destroyed great parts of my life. Regreatably the problem is increased everytime I get laser in the eyes from these laserscanners people continue to wave around with in stores. There are insanely amount of people now that are hurt (by various types of lasers) and if you have problems after the exposure of that laserscanner you probably like everyone else feeling problem, have been hurt!
I have contacted manifacturers of lasers two times now, wanting answer to the question about the current societal situation without any answer from any part. When the rule of legislation passed here in Sweden about licencing cl. 3 laser (pointers) 1 jan 2014 companies (according to a scientist I spoke with from Sweden) turned boxes upside down and gave away the pointers to the "finders keepers", expressing their view on the subject according to the latter. Some of these companies seems to care nothing for human health related to Sweden at least.
Just because eye doctors year in and year out say to all of us with serious problems in life that we arn´t hurt, some sitting crying of the pain infront of them, seem to mean no more than that the doctors themselves lacking serious amounts of comeptence in the area. The issue about competence has already been acknowledged by an authority among eye doctors here in Sweden about a year ago that raised the alarm nation wide. Some others, some doctors others not, have the same thesis or at least insinuation!
The problem is firstly that according to the Swedish counterpart of boards controling laser issues, that business producing lasers themselves have done those lists of classifications. When talking to scientist checking the science behind the tests bars conducted I really argued some via the telephone down on their backs for not including absolute sceintifical facts readily falsifying big parts of their whole thesis.
Be aware of the lasers and second above serious lack of insight in the whole subject you just read above EVERY TIME! Check and re check and you receave an totally other truth of the subject!
When I accidentally look at barcode scanners, that are everywhere in New York, I usually have big floaters in my eyes and reduced vision for several days. I try to say to sales people, that it is dangerous to eyes to point barcode scanners to people, but they seems do not care.
1 Comments
The light energy emitted by a bar code read is not dangerous any more that laser pointers for causal glancing at. Nor would/could it cause floaters.
Hello!
Just as usual people have such an ignorance... I too have serious problems since I was struck in my eyes by laserscanners cl. 2 ev. (not probable) cl. 1. Reduced sharpness and increadibly hyper sensitive to light. Still have those problem now over 2 years later. That have more or less destroyed great parts of my life. Regreatably the problem is increased everytime I get laser in the eyes from these laserscanners people continue to wave around with in stores. There are insanely amount of people now that are hurt (by various types of lasers) and if you have problems after the exposure of that laserscanner you probably like everyone else feeling problem, have been hurt!
I have contacted manifacturers of lasers two times now, wanting answer to the question about the current societal situation without any answer from any part. When the rule of legislation passed here in Sweden about licencing cl. 3 laser (pointers) 1 jan 2014 companies (according to a scientist I spoke with from Sweden) turned boxes upside down and gave away the pointers to the "finders keepers", expressing their view on the subject according to the latter. Some of these companies seems to care nothing for human health related to Sweden at least.
Just because eye doctors year in and year out say to all of us with serious problems in life that we arn´t hurt, some sitting crying of the pain infront of them, seem to mean no more than that the doctors themselves lacking serious amounts of comeptence in the area. The issue about competence has already been acknowledged by an authority among eye doctors here in Sweden about a year ago that raised the alarm nation wide. Some others, some doctors others not, have the same thesis or at least insinuation!
The problem is firstly that according to the Swedish counterpart of boards controling laser issues, that business producing lasers themselves have done those lists of classifications. When talking to scientists checking the science behind the tests bars conducted I really argued some via the telephone down on their backs for not including absolute sceintifical facts readily falsifying big parts of their whole thesis.
Be aware of the lasers and second above serious lack of insight in the whole subject you just read above EVERY TIME! Check and re check and you receave an totally other truth of the subject!
Just as usual people have such an ignorance... I too have serious problems since I was struck in my eyes by laserscanners cl. 2 ev. (not probable) cl. 1. Reduced sharpness and increadibly hyper sensitive to light. Still have those problem now over 2 years later. That have more or less destroyed great parts of my life. Regreatably the problem is increased everytime I get laser in the eyes from these laserscanners people continue to wave around with in stores. There are insanely amount of people now that are hurt (by various types of lasers) and if you have problems after the exposure of that laserscanner you probably like everyone else feeling problem, have been hurt!
I have contacted manifacturers of lasers two times now, wanting answer to the question about the current societal situation without any answer from any part. When the rule of legislation passed here in Sweden about licencing cl. 3 laser (pointers) 1 jan 2014 companies (according to a scientist I spoke with from Sweden) turned boxes upside down and gave away the pointers to the "finders keepers", expressing their view on the subject according to the latter. Some of these companies seems to care nothing for human health related to Sweden at least.
Just because eye doctors year in and year out say to all of us with serious problems in life that we arn´t hurt, some sitting crying of the pain infront of them, seem to mean no more than that the doctors themselves lacking serious amounts of comeptence in the area. The issue about competence has already been acknowledged by an authority among eye doctors here in Sweden about a year ago that raised the alarm nation wide. Some others, some doctors others not, have the same thesis or at least insinuation!
The problem is firstly that according to the Swedish counterpart of boards controling laser issues, that business producing lasers themselves have done those lists of classifications. When talking to scientists checking the science behind the tests bars conducted I really argued some via the telephone down on their backs for not including absolute sceintifical facts readily falsifying big parts of their whole thesis.
Be aware of the lasers and second above serious lack of insight in the whole subject you just read above EVERY TIME! Check and re check and you receave an totally other truth of the subject!
2 Comments
When I accidentally look at barcode scanners, that are everywhere in New York, I usually have big floaters in my eyes and reduced vision for several days. I try to say to sales people, that it is dangerous to eyes to point barcode scanners to people, but they seems do not care.
I feel the directness of the red laser barcode scanner in my eyes from those which are pointed toward me as I enter any store to make payment with cash. It hurts and forces me to turn away. I put my hand up to protect my eyes and demand the cashier to remove the direction of the laser which thankfully they do. I pay and fill the personnel in on the pain and potential blindness that they inflict with ignorant bliss or with intent to harm fellow human beings and any seeing eye dogs. The lasers are situated on the counters usually at the height of children's eyes. I make them aware of their complicit action of hurting the elderly, the children, the pregnant, the supporting men et al.
Important to keep up with nutrition to fight all these radiofrequency microwaves. Eat 9 cups of vegetables per day and all other foods fall into place accordingly. Support your local health food store and obtain eye health supplements. Sleep well in the proper time of day. Camping for 2 weeks will reset your circadian rhythm.
Better yet go OLD SCHOOL and fill your time with worthwhile things and everything else falls into place accordingly. Find stores with management that uses old methods. Use landlines then cell phones become obsolete. Read classic literature and law then TV and computers become useless. Obtain a plot of land by purchase or rent and create your Garden of Eden where everything is solved.
Our world is perverted and you have the choice to make a life for the children of tomorrow who will takeover the care. May they avoid blindness by the perverted and the ignorant.
Important to keep up with nutrition to fight all these radiofrequency microwaves. Eat 9 cups of vegetables per day and all other foods fall into place accordingly. Support your local health food store and obtain eye health supplements. Sleep well in the proper time of day. Camping for 2 weeks will reset your circadian rhythm.
Better yet go OLD SCHOOL and fill your time with worthwhile things and everything else falls into place accordingly. Find stores with management that uses old methods. Use landlines then cell phones become obsolete. Read classic literature and law then TV and computers become useless. Obtain a plot of land by purchase or rent and create your Garden of Eden where everything is solved.
Our world is perverted and you have the choice to make a life for the children of tomorrow who will takeover the care. May they avoid blindness by the perverted and the ignorant.
You are smart to be aware that lasers of various types can cause vision loss. The good news for you is that barcode scanners are designed not to cause damage to the eyes if there is 'incidental' exposure, like you received.
Here is a link to an FDA website listing various classes of lasers and their relative danger. Barcode scanners are listed as an FDA Class II which is described as "Hazard increases when viewed directly for long periods of time. Hazard increases if viewed with optical aids."
It sounds like you should be ok since you looked away immediately.
http://www.fda.gov/Radiation-EmittingProducts/RadiationEmittingProductsandProcedures/HomeBusinessandEntertainment/LaserProductsandInstruments/ucm116362.htm
As Dr. Hagan says, you should be fine, but go to an ophthalmologist if you have lingering pain or vision problems.
I want to take this opportunity to mention one related thing - unlike retail barcode scanners, laser pointers DO have the ability to cause lasting eye damage. Laser pointers have become more powerful and cheaper in the past few years, and now are common in office and educational settings. Some parents let their kids play with them But people probably don't realize that the pointers CAN cause lasting retina damage if misused.
For anyone who thinks a laser ordered off the Internet or bought from an office supply store is safe to play around with, look at the retina photos in these articles from the NYTimes and the NEJM:
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/01/health/01laser.html?_r=0
http://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMc1005818
Green lasers are particularly dangerous because certain cells on the retina absorb green light wavelengths very efficiently. But both red and green laser pointers can cause damage to the retina and vision, and some of that damage can be permanent.
Here is a link to an FDA website listing various classes of lasers and their relative danger. Barcode scanners are listed as an FDA Class II which is described as "Hazard increases when viewed directly for long periods of time. Hazard increases if viewed with optical aids."
It sounds like you should be ok since you looked away immediately.
http://www.fda.gov/Radiation-EmittingProducts/RadiationEmittingProductsandProcedures/HomeBusinessandEntertainment/LaserProductsandInstruments/ucm116362.htm
As Dr. Hagan says, you should be fine, but go to an ophthalmologist if you have lingering pain or vision problems.
I want to take this opportunity to mention one related thing - unlike retail barcode scanners, laser pointers DO have the ability to cause lasting eye damage. Laser pointers have become more powerful and cheaper in the past few years, and now are common in office and educational settings. Some parents let their kids play with them But people probably don't realize that the pointers CAN cause lasting retina damage if misused.
For anyone who thinks a laser ordered off the Internet or bought from an office supply store is safe to play around with, look at the retina photos in these articles from the NYTimes and the NEJM:
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/01/health/01laser.html?_r=0
http://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMc1005818
Green lasers are particularly dangerous because certain cells on the retina absorb green light wavelengths very efficiently. But both red and green laser pointers can cause damage to the retina and vision, and some of that damage can be permanent.
2 Comments
I have seen these sites too. However there are people more sensitive than others and in my opinion the studies are doctored.
In particular I point out that in Germany no painkillers are used during tooth operations at dentist offices whereas here in Canada it is a matter of common procedure.
Vitamin C burns my intestinal tract from mouth to anus as well as the webbing between my fingers and toes but Synergy C from CanPrev is the only supplemental vitamin C in all my half century of life that I can use without redness and harm.
When cell phones came out I enthusiastically used them for many minutes at a time. When I used it 30 minutes my ear became enflamed. I went to the doctor who diagnosed me with cellulitis after I told him what it was from. He refused to put that in writing. I went to him again after I used my cell phone on my other ear for 30 minutes because I couldn't use my usual ear from the pain and suffering. Again he said I must have placed my finger from one ear into the other and that is the cause of cellulitis. In fact my ears were fried by radio frequency microwaves emitted by cell phones. How far into my brain the frying went I don't know but I do know that bodily cells do get replaced with new bodily cells and the entire body gets replaced every 7 years. Senescence, your environment, and what you ingest does affect the replacement cells. So I did get rid of that phone and I do have hope that people become educated and make good choices. Ignorance is NOT BLISS.
In particular I point out that in Germany no painkillers are used during tooth operations at dentist offices whereas here in Canada it is a matter of common procedure.
Vitamin C burns my intestinal tract from mouth to anus as well as the webbing between my fingers and toes but Synergy C from CanPrev is the only supplemental vitamin C in all my half century of life that I can use without redness and harm.
When cell phones came out I enthusiastically used them for many minutes at a time. When I used it 30 minutes my ear became enflamed. I went to the doctor who diagnosed me with cellulitis after I told him what it was from. He refused to put that in writing. I went to him again after I used my cell phone on my other ear for 30 minutes because I couldn't use my usual ear from the pain and suffering. Again he said I must have placed my finger from one ear into the other and that is the cause of cellulitis. In fact my ears were fried by radio frequency microwaves emitted by cell phones. How far into my brain the frying went I don't know but I do know that bodily cells do get replaced with new bodily cells and the entire body gets replaced every 7 years. Senescence, your environment, and what you ingest does affect the replacement cells. So I did get rid of that phone and I do have hope that people become educated and make good choices. Ignorance is NOT BLISS.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
The barcode laser is very unlikely to have adverse affect on your eye. Of more concern are much more powerful industrial land medical laser.
If your eye continues to be a problem see an Eye MD
JCH MD
If your eye continues to be a problem see an Eye MD
JCH MD
2 Comments
I was at Bestbuy and the salesperson told me she needed my picture and began to scan my eyes with a barcode reader. She even said smike. Ever since my eyes have gotten more and more blurry
This is from the Wright State info on barcode scanners; Class 2 and 2M laser barcode scanners are considered SAFE if the beam happens to hit the human eye. Blinking and looking away from a bright light source are both a reflex adaptation that humans use to protect the eyes from damage. BUT- consider this:
Physical limitations may cause some people the inability to blink quickly, to avert their eyes, or to turn their head away from the laser beam, causing pain and discomfort, or even temporary impairment of vision. END. Permanent damage unlikely. Use artificial tears. If not back to normal tomorrow see an ophthalmologist.
Physical limitations may cause some people the inability to blink quickly, to avert their eyes, or to turn their head away from the laser beam, causing pain and discomfort, or even temporary impairment of vision. END. Permanent damage unlikely. Use artificial tears. If not back to normal tomorrow see an ophthalmologist.
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