Likelihood of eye damage from a dvd-rom laser

[kratosthegodofwar]

What is the likelihood that I damaged my eyes/vision from looking at the laser dot from a PS2's DVD ROM while it was powered on with the top cover off? I followed this video tutorial on how to fix my PS2's disc not spinning, and while testing to see if the motor would spin the disc the laser was on and I looked directly at the laser for about I think 10 seconds and then it turned off when I released the buttons. I am worried that I may have damaged my vision because now I see worse in my left eye than in my right eye. Does anyone know how powerful a PS2's laser is? I am worried I've done permanent damage to my eyes.

 

[Princess Luna]

Do your eyes feel damaged? 10 seconds is not a whole lot of time, while this is indeed harmful there's a difference between one single short occasion and doing it several times... much like staring directly at the sun on a clean sky day.

[mariushm]

It's possible but unlikely.

You could go to a pharmacy and get some eye drops (they're off the counter, no prescription required) and get a drop every hour or so for a day or two until you feel better.

 

[glenalz81]

Class II laser i think, possibly class 1 but either can damage the eye if looked into directly for a number of seconds.

 

https://www.lasersafetyfacts.com/2/

 

 

[glenalz81]

@kratosthegodofwar  Best get your eye checked.

[Kilrah]

If it's the CD (infrared, invisible) laser then it's not bad. Did that for longer as a kid myself.

[harryk]

2 hours ago, Kilrah said:

If it's the CD (infrared, invisible) laser then it's not bad. Did that for longer as a kid myself.

Just because it's infrared light and not visible does not mean its safe. What matters is the intensity. 

 

From what I could work out, the PS2 is has a DVD reader (not writer) so the laser head should be 5mw or less placing it as class 3R. Damage is possible if directly exposed for too long. You're most likely fine but if you think you are having vision problems go see an eye doctor. Vision injuries may not be apparent until a few days after exposure.

[Kilrah]

Yes and intensity for CD IR laser is very low, less than 1mW. DVD is 5mW, but that's not what he (and I in the past) stared at since that is red and would have been instantly unbearable.

[TetraSky]

Well, "damaged" is a big word.
I'm no eye doctor, but I've had an asshole hold me down while his friend had fun pointing a laser pointer into my eye as a kid, my vision didn't turn for the worst and the ophthalmologist told us not to worry too much about it, too.

What did happen is that a couple years later, I developed an eye floater in that eye. There are ways to get rid of them these days if you end up with on and it bother you too much.

Now after going through LASIK 3 years ago, I have tiny floaters in both eyes(common issue) and considering getting rid of them if more show up.

[harryk]

2 hours ago, Kilrah said:

Yes and intensity for CD IR laser is very low, less than 1mW. DVD is 5mW, but that's not what he (and I in the past) stared at since that is red and would have been instantly unbearable.

The PS2 has a DVD drive

[Kilrah]

A DVD drive has 2 lasers, one for reading CDs and one for reading DVDs. Can't read one with the other. If he could stare at it it means it was the CD one being active.

[Dedayog]

8 hours ago, kratosthegodofwar said:

What is the likelihood that I damaged my eyes/vision from looking at the laser dot from a PS2's CD ROM while it was powered on with the top cover off? I followed this video tutorial on how to fix my PS2's disc not spinning, and while testing to see if the motor would spin the disc the laser was on and I looked directly at the laser for about I think 10 seconds and then it turned off when I released the buttons. I am worried that I may have damaged my vision because now I see worse in my left eye than in my right eye. Does anyone know how powerful a PS2's laser is? I am worried I've done permanent damage to my eyes.

 

You know they have doctors for this type of question?

 

Why on earth did you look at it for 10 entire seconds?

 

My guess is temporary damage but the eye may heal.  That's a guess, from a guy who's had glasses since he was 2 thru 2 eye surgeries and a few other things eye related.  The eye does infact heal, but no idea the extent of any  damage.

 

If you think you have worse vision now, see a f&cking doctor.

 

Common sense.

[dizmo]

Go see a doctor if you're worried, do NOT depend on a tech forum (or any forum) for heath advice. 

 

Why the fuck would you stare at a laser for 10 seconds anyway? That blows my mind. 

 

8 hours ago, Princess Luna said:

Do your eyes feel damaged? 10 seconds is not a whole lot of time, while this is indeed harmful there's a difference between one single short occasion and doing it several times... much like staring directly at the sun on a clean sky day.

10 seconds is a very long time in terms of a laser. Depending on the type it could blind you. I don't think these are super powerful, but risky non-the-less. 

[harryk]

5 hours ago, Kilrah said:

A DVD drive has 2 lasers, one for reading CDs and one for reading DVDs. Can't read one with the other. If he could stare at it it means it was the CD one being active.

Many DVD drives use the same laser for reading both CD's and DVD's. The focus is adjusted to change to beam size and the shorter wavelength used for DVD's still works with CD's given that its essentially the same manufacturing albeit with a smaller spot size on the disc.

[danomicar]

13 hours ago, kratosthegodofwar said:

What is the likelihood that I damaged my eyes/vision from looking at the laser dot from a PS2's CD ROM while it was powered on with the top cover off? I followed this video tutorial on how to fix my PS2's disc not spinning, and while testing to see if the motor would spin the disc the laser was on and I looked directly at the laser for about I think 10 seconds and then it turned off when I released the buttons. I am worried that I may have damaged my vision because now I see worse in my left eye than in my right eye. Does anyone know how powerful a PS2's laser is? I am worried I've done permanent damage to my eyes.

 

If you're not currently blinded, then there's no need to worry about it. 

[kratosthegodofwar]

It says on that website for a 4.99 mW class 3R laser you need to be 16m away for it to not do damage. 

 

“If you are closer than the NOHD distance (16m) to the laser, there is a possibility of retinal damage if the direct or reflected beam enters your eye longer than about ¼ second.”

 

I was standing about half or 1 metre away and looked at it for 10 seconds at the red dot. I’ve screwed up big time. Can’t believe I didn’t realise lasers were dangerous. I just thought “oh look cool a laser.” Looks like I’ll have to go to an eye doctor. I’m screwed for life now.

 

How did people fix PS2’s not reading discs over the years? It would mean that everyone would be blinded by the laser as soon as they turn on the DVD motor. I don’t think everyone would know not to look at the laser or I just might be a particular case of stupid. On my PS2 I’m pretty sure there is no warning not to open because there is a laser I could be mistaken.