Ravers lose sight at laser show

[KickTheBobo]

I'm not saying a word.

By Chris Baldwin

MOSCOW (Reuters) - Dozens of partygoers at an outdoor rave near Moscow last week have lost partial vision after a laser light show burned their retinas, Russian health officials said on Monday.

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 July 5 Aquamarine Open Air Festival in Kirzhach, 80 km (50 miles) northeast of Moscow, began seeking medical help days after the show, complaining of eye and vision problems, health officials told Reuters.

"They all have retinal burns, scarring is visible on them. Loss of vision in individual cases is as high as 80 percent, and regaining it is already impossible," Kommersant quoted a treating ophthalmologist as saying.

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.

"I immediately had a spot like when you stare into the sun," rave-attendee Dmitry told Kommersant.

"After three days I decided to go to the hospital. They examined me, asked if I had been at Open Air, and then put me straight in the hospital. I didn't even get to go home and get my stuff," he said.

Cosmic Connection, promoters of the Aquamarine rave, were unreachable and did not list contact numbers on their Web site.

Industry Web site www.laserfx.com said focused laser light can cause eye damage almost instantly.

The owner of a Moscow laser rental company told Reuters the accidental blindings were 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," said Valentin Vasiliev, who said his company did not provide the Aquamarine lasers.

[Laurie]

They were asking for it.

For shame, KTB! How can you say such a thing?

[Forrest]

They were asking for it.

Agreed. I wish they all would have died.

Sheesh. Way to pile it on, Laurie.

[Stupornaut]

They were asking for it.

Agreed. I wish they all would have died.

It is like a Back from the Grave cover come to life and it makes me so very happy.

Jeez, you people are animals.

[Martin]

They were asking for it.

Agreed. I wish they all would have died.

It is like a Back from the Grave cover come to life and it makes me so very happy.

I am a blood-thirsty animal and I smile with glee about this!

This is just sickening, people.

[buffcoat]

They were asking for it.

Agreed. I wish they all would have died.

It is like a Back from the Grave cover come to life and it makes me so very happy.

I am a blood-thirsty animal and I smile with glee about this!

Thank God it was the filthy Russians!

Way to kick them when they're down, Martin.

[Emily]

They were asking for it.

Agreed. I wish they all would have died.

It is like a Back from the Grave cover come to life and it makes me so very happy.

I am a blood-thirsty animal and I smile with glee about this!

Thank God it was the filthy Russians!

We should kick them while they're down! Am I right, Martin?

Man, you guys are cruel. You better hope Jouster doesn't see this thread.

[Forrest]

They were asking for it.

Agreed. I wish they all would have died.

It is like a Back from the Grave cover come to life and it makes me so very happy.

I am a blood-thirsty animal and I smile with glee about this!

Thank God it was the filthy Russians!

We should kick them while they're down! Am I right, Martin?

I've been doing some reading, and it seems to me that there is strong evidence that the Holocaust is a myth. Just sayin'.

That is totally unrelated to the topic and uncalled for, Emily. Seek help.

[Emily]

I could get fired for that!

[Laurie]

Hitler seemed like a pretty chill guy.

Whoa, Emily! Way to wreck the flow of this thread with comments like that!

[Son of Dorvid]

Hitler seemed like a pretty chill guy.

My Doddy bought me his car, his globe, and his jewel-encrusted Sybian!

TMI, Laurie.

[Gilly]

Hitler seemed like a pretty chill guy.

My Doddy bought me his car, his globe, and his jewel-encrusted Sybian!

He bought that? Damn him! I had my eye on that for so long....

You snooze, you lose Dorvid.

[Son of Dorvid]

Hitler seemed like a pretty chill guy.

My Doddy bought me his car, his globe, and his jewel-encrusted Sybian!

He bought that? Damn him! I had my eye on that for so long....

That's not how you use it.  (check your email)

Inappropriate, Gilly.

[Gilly]

Hitler seemed like a pretty chill guy.

My Doddy bought me his car, his globe, and his jewel-encrusted Sybian!

He bought that? Damn him! I had my eye on that for so long....

That's not how you use it.  (check your email)

Thanks for the tip! I would never have guessed but am enjoying myself immensely!

I was just saying that's not how you use it, not that you should use it that way. Gross.