A laser light show is a form of visual entertainment that, as the name implies, involves the projection of colorful laser beams that move in rhythm with music. Some are more strict in defining laser light shows, saying that for one event to be considered as a laser light show, the light show should be the audience’s main reason for attending the event. However, this strict definition can be quite problematic as laser light shows are commonly used to just to accompany and highlight a concert or a musical performance, and are often done in dance clubs.
While laser light shows definitely livens up any event and gets the crowd going, certain safety precautions should be observed because laser light can cause damage to the eyes and skin when used improperly. Lighting technicians should be well aware of the technical specifications involved in using lasers and when doing laser light shows. For example, the amount of focus and the strength of laser beams to be used in the show should be proportionate to the size of the venue. Using strong laser beams in small clubs and confined places can be dangerous to the party-goers.
An example of the hazards of using strong laser beams in confined venues is what happened in the Aquamarine Open Air Festival held in Russia. Just a few days after July 5th of 2008, when the festival was held, attendees were complaining of eye and vision problems. What happened was that the laser beams that were set up for the event had the amount of force that were meant to illuminate the sky. However, because of the unexpected downpour of rain, the event’s organizers set up tents and canopies. The laser technicians failed to adjust the strength of the laser, so when the beams were projected upwards, they merely reflected on the canopy and partially refracted into the clubbers’ eyes.
Ophthalmologists who treated the patients from the Aquamarine fest said that it was nearly impossible to regain the vision that the patients have lost during the event. A lot of the festival attendees lost nearly 80% of their eyesight, and some had burns on their retina.