GETTY This latest laser attack has been described as the worst of its kind in the UK to date

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The man, who has not been identified, was operating as a co-pilot over Heathrow when a laser was shone into the cockpit from the ground. He sustained extensive damage to the retina of his right eye and hasn't been back to work since. Immediately after the attack the pilot was taken to a hospital in Sheffield for treatment.

GETTY The co-pilot's career is now in serious jeopardy after extensive damaged sustained to his right eye

According to BA bosses, the aircraft was landing at the airport when the incident happened. It has already been deemed as the most serious laser attack in the UK to date. Jim McAuslan, general secretary of the British Airlines Pilots Association (Balpa) union, told the Evening Standard newspaper: “His retina was burnt on one of his eyes." He added: that "people have assumed the laser must have been military strength” because of the severity of the damage in comparison to what would be expected to be inflicted from a laser pen.

GETTY Heathrow is the third busiest airport in the world