Nine-year-old boy blinded after looking at laser pen
A BOY has been left with a “black hole” in one eye and near blinded in both after looking at a laser pen for “two seconds”.
Eye scans revealed Archie Mapson, nine, had suffered instant damage like a “bullet had gone through his eye”.
He can no longer see faces, play sports or read and needs help to cross roads due to black spots.
Doctors fear the macular and retinal damage may be irreversible. Mum Emma Carson, 39, a dog groomer of Leigh-on-Sea, Essex, said: “I never thought something you can buy in a toy shop would be that dangerous.” More than 150 eye injuries involving laser pointers have been reported since 2013. Emma is considering taking legal action. Toy safety expert Jerry Burnie said: “Toys are regulated to ensure any lasers don’t cause damage. This isn’t compliant or potentially it isn’t a toy at all.”