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.

Why lasers can cause eye damage. A laser’s light is concentrated into a narrow beam. If aimed at a person’s eye from close up, most or all of the light goes through the pupil. The already-concentrated light is further focused by the lens onto a sharp (“diffraction-limited”) dot on the retina.

The light energy from a laser aimed into the eye can be hazardous, perhaps even more than staring directly into the sun. Do not aim a laser at any vehicle, aircraft, or shiny surface.

Laser irradiation of the eye may cause damage to the cornea, lens, or retina, depending on the wavelength of the light and the energy absorption characteristics of the ocular tissues. Most of the radiation is absorbed in the lens of the eye. The effects are delayed and do not occur for many years (e.g.; cataracts).

The heat can burn the eye and permanently damage the retina. If the laser light is brief or weak, it may not produce the same heat or long-lasting damage, but instead could create a small after-image, which is a bright spot that prevents normal vision.

Some lasers emit radiation in the form of light. Others emit radiation that is invisible to the eye, such as ultraviolet or infrared radiation. In general, laser radiation is not in itself harmful, and behaves much like ordinary light in its interaction with the body.

There do not appear to be any long-term health risks associated with the procedure. However, some people may experience minor side effects after laser hair removal. People should ask their dermatologist to test how a small patch of skin reacts to the treatment before having it done on a larger area of skin.

Exposure to high level lasers may cause depigmentation, severe burns and possible damage to underlying organs. High-powered lasers may also cause fire hazards.

Green is more easily perceived by the eye and the beam is visible along its path. But green lasers are also more dangerous. Green is more easily absorbed by the retina than red, so it requires less exposure to cause damage.

Today, you can buy a green laser pointer the size of a ball point pen for $15. These devices create coherent green light in a three step process. “This is a serious hazard, since humans or animals may incur significant eye damage by exposure to invisible light before they become aware of it,” they say.

Researchers report that green laser pointers deliver light that is brighter to the eye than red lasers, but the infrared light emitted by some inexpensive models could damage the retina of the eye. That’s enough to cause damage to the retina before a person is even aware of the invisible light.

Shining a laser pointer at a drone is illegal and may not interfere with its communication. Pointing a laser pointer at an aircraft is a violation of federal law and potentially state laws. As a drone is considered an aircraft, pointing a laser at it could result in jail time and fines.

Now Raytheon has a new tool that literally zaps drones with a laser, sending them crashing to the ground. The company’s High-Energy Laser Weapon System, as the drone killer is called, uses Raytheon’s multi-spectral targeting system to track and target pesky, pint-sized aircraft.

No, you cannot shoot a drone out of the sky. Drones are considered aircraft by the National Transportation Safety Board and are protected. You cannot shoot down an aircraft period. It is against federal law,” Moss said.

If you know the operator and feel comfortable addressing the matter directly, safely and informally, then that’s an option. Otherwise, if the drone is being flown recklessly, crashes in your yard, damages someone, or damages property, the only real option is to contact local law enforcement by calling 911.