SASKATOON -- A 30-year-old man is facing charges after he allegedly shined a laser at a Saskatoon Police Service (SPS) Air Support Unit plane.
Shortly after 11 p.m. on May 3, the SPS Air Support Unit reported that a green laser was pointed in their direction mid-flight.
The laser was powerful enough to cause instant eye damage to the pilot and tactical flight officer, but neither were injured in the incident, according to SPS.
Rachael Berger, an optometrist and council member at the Saskatchewan Association of Optometrists says that there are several factors to consider when it comes to how much damage a laser can cause.
“It depends on the laser classification, how far the laser is from the eye if it’s concentrated on one area,” Berger said.
“It can cause flash blindness, so temporary loss of vision, tearing, or more long term, more serious is it could damage the retinal layer, which is the thin layer at the back of the eye.”
Berger says lasers that are easily bought by the public are less dangerous because they fall under class one, but Berger also says no matter what classification, it’s always a good practice to never point lasers towards anybody’s eyes.
The location where the laser beam originated was identified as the 500 block of Avenue H South, police say.
Patrol units attended the scene and arrested the suspect who is facing charges of mischief and breach of undertaking.
