Are optical mice dangerous?

Page 2 - Seeking answers? Join the AnandTech community: where nearly half-a-million members share solutions and discuss the latest tech.

Rock Hydra

Diamond Member
Dec 13, 2004
6,466
1
0
I'm sure you're looking at the laser for a fraction of a second. I believe I heard that looking at laser for 8-10 seconds or more causes major damage right away and 30 seconds can cause blindness. Both 10 and 30 seconds is quite extensive.
 

mercanucaribe

Banned
Oct 20, 2004
9,763
1
0
Originally posted by: Jeff7
Originally posted by: Prism
Originally posted by: mercanucaribe
The laser can damage your eye if you actually look at it, but the odds are kind of slim that it will actually go into the tiny hole of your pupil directly. Don't they turn off when you flip them? My mouse has an infrared laser, so I can't tell.

Mine shines its normal brightness for couple seconds after I flip it and then it dims considerably, but if I move it too much it'll go bright again. If it caused damage, would this be something I'd notice instantly?

If you stare at a laser for a few minutes, then it'll cause permanent damage.

And yes, optical mice have simple red LEDs. You have more to fear from sunlight.

Plenty of optical mice have lasers... why, I don't know.