Ravers lose sight at laser show
Tuesday, 15 July 2008 16:34Dozens of ravers at an outdoor event near Moscow last week have lost partial vision after a laser light show burned their retinas.
Moscow city health department officials confirmed 12 cases of laser-blindness at the Central Ophthalmological Clinic, and daily newspaper Kommersant said another 17 were registered at City Hospital 32 in the centre of the capital.
Attendees at the 5 July Aquamarine Open Air Festival in Kirzhach, 80km northeast of Moscow, began seeking medical help days after the show, complaining of eye and vision problems.
'They all have retinal burns, scarring is visible on them. Loss of vision in individual cases is as high as 80%, and regaining it is already impossible,' according to a treating ophthalmologist.
Attendees said heavy rains forced organizers to erect massive tents for the all-night dance party, and lasers that normally illuminate upwards into the sky were instead partially refracted into the ravers' eyes.
