In spite of all our differences, the one thing that binds all living creatures is that we each have an expiration date. This finality to our existence is what makes life special, something to be cherished and protected. But occasionally things can go terribly wrong…
Over 60 party-goers (or "ravers") were blinded after their retinas were burned by a giant laser light show near Moscow, Russia.
The ravers were attending the July 5 Aquamarine Open Air Festival. Heavy rain forced organizers to erect massive tents and hold the all-night party inside. Giant lasers that normally shoot far into the sky instead were refracted into the ravers’ eyes.
A few days later, ravers began visiting hospitals in droves, complaining of sore eyes and poor vision. One raver described the injury as "a spot like when you stare into the sun."
One of the ophthalmologists told reporters, "’They all have retinal burns, scarring is visible on them. Loss of vision in individual cases is as high as 80 per cent, and regaining it is already impossible."
One expert said the blindings were an accident due to "illiteracy on the part of technicians. It was partly the rain, but also partly the size of the laser. Somebody set up an extremely powerful laser for such a small space."
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