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Popularity of latest boardroom tool is a point of contention Laser pointers aren't toys, say police, schools By ALEX BREITLER Laser pointers, those nifty little gadgets that slice up the air with thin red beams, are cheaper -- and more popular -- than ever. But with the increased popularity come concerns that kids are staring for too long into the potentially unhealthy laser beams. Use by students has led at least one local school to forbid the pointers, and use by pranksters has triggered partial or all-out bans in New York City, Chicago Ridge, Ill., and other cities. Local police say the lasers can be a hazard to motorists and can alarm officers, who may wonder if the red flash they see is a laser gun sight. The devices also can injure the user. "With kids, these things are a toy, and the first thing they want to do is shine them in their eyes," said Medford optometrist Brian Mitchell. The pen-sized devices can throw a concentrated beam of light hundreds of feet, putting a shining dot on their target. While the laser isn't particularly powerful, staring into the beam for longer than 10 seconds could cause hemorrhaging in the back of the eyeball, permanently damaging the retina. While Mitchell doesn't know of any local cases of retinal damage caused by errant laser beams, he said it's best to avoid using laser pointers as toys. "(Lasers) can be pretty nasty," he said. The quivering red spot from a laser pointer has become a much more familiar sight as costs have dropped and uses have multiplied. Mitchell said he's had lasers flashed into his rear-view mirror while driving, and he's seen them dancing on movie theater screens. That may be because it's easier to find them. The pointers are sold all over the Rogue Valley, in novelty stores such as Spencer Gifts in the Rogue Valley Mall, some pet shops and most office supply stores. At the Stewart Avenue Mini Pet Mart, pointers sell for about $20. They make good toys for cats, who playfully chase the bouncing red dots, said Nancy Hobbs, assistant manager. The store just starting selling them this Christmas. "We've only had adults buy them," Hobbs added. At Toys R Us, laser pointers cost less than $10. Mark Becker is marketing director at Apollo, a company that manufactures laser pointers for office use, including highlighting presentations. "They're intended to be used by lecturers and in board-room settings," Becker said. "They're essentially a presentation tool." Ten years ago, when pointers first came out, they were used for office purposes only, Becker said. But no longer. "We're not pleased that these items are being used as toys," he said. "I don't think that was the intention for the product originally." Zany disco effects and variations on the standard red beam have kids even more interested, Becker added. There's been enough interest at Ashland Middle School that officials have decided to ban pointers from campus. A few kids complained of being beamed in the eye, and one child's eye "got real red," said Dean Lonnie Harper. "We just don't want to see anybody get any eye injuries," he said. "There's no real educational value for (pointers) to be on campus." Lasers aren't a serious problem on campus, Harper said, but they've been distractions in the classroom. He wants to ensure they don't become a hazard. Medford police Sgt. Steve Johnson said the laser pointers have proven to be a double headache for police. First, he said, the pointers can be aimed at motorists, temporarily blinding the drivers. Also, police are worried because the laser flash looks the same as a laser sight on a gun. An officer was driving around Medford last month when he was targeted with one of the pointers, Johnson said. Although it turned out to be kids in an alley, the officer pulled over and ducked for cover. "It's a dangerous thing to be playing around with those things," Johnson said. "We have to take them seriously." The Food and Drug Administration requires manufacturers to add warning labels to laser pointers, reminding owners to avoid direct eye exposure and to keep them out of the reach of small children. While there's no real risk involved if an eye is momentarily exposed, the American Optometric Association agrees that pointers shouldn't be used as toys, particularly mimicking the famous light saber duels from "Star Wars." Prolonged eye exposure to a laser could be more damaging than staring into the sun, the AOA reports. But there's no reason to shy away from using laser pointers for their intended purpose, Becker said. "They have to be used in the manner in which they were intended," he said. "With normal and correct use, there is no safety hazard." (The Associated Press contributed to this story.) Mail Tribune Copyright � The Mail Tribune 1999, Medford, Oregon USA