ANOTHER WEAPON TOO FAR - THE ANTI-PERSONNEL LASER

The last decade has seen the development of military lasers designed t o blind. Medical professionals dedicated to the prevention and treatme nt of visual disability, and particularly ophthalmologists under the t erms of their newly acquired Royal Charter, have a responsibility to: document this new technology; explain its medical effects; and influen ce the threshold at which these weapons might be used. Proposals to pr ohibit anti-eye laser warfare at The United Nations Convention Confere nce in September 1995 present a unique opportunity to stigmatize blind ing as a method of warfare.