In FDA-regulated pointers, the laser power limit is set at one-tenth the actual threshold of damage. If a person sees a bright light, they will automatically blink, on the average in less than 0.2 seconds. This is referred to as the blink reflex, and it is considered when the limit is assigned for how much power will cause an eye injury. By the way, you shouldn't force a stare at a laser, just like you shouldn't stare at the sun or any bright light source.

Possible more potentially damaging -- although not to the eye -- is that a regular pointer laser can overwhelm the eye with light, typically called flash blindness. If a person is walking a rocky path, operating machinery, a vehicle or aircraft, this temporary loss of vision could cause injury or disaster. At night, when the pupil is most open, the effects would bemagnified.

Some basic rules with lasers: Never direct a beam onto another person, especially their face. Do not shine it onto a mirror or mirror-like surface. Do not look at the beam through binoculars or a microscope.

One last thing -- some government entities have banned or restricted laser pointers. Some states and some cities have or have proposed age limits on the purchase or use of pointers. The United Kingdom bans the use of class 3A pointers. Laser pointers are high-tech tools, not toys.