Martin Rogers

USA TODAY Sports

As the NFL investigates complaints from the Buffalo Bills that quarterback Kyle Orton and holder Colton Schmidt had been subjected to a powerful laser aimed at their eyes by someone in the crowd in Detroit, a leading ophthalmologist and retinal specialist warned of the potentially devastating effects such devices can cause.

While the guidelines for a standard laser that might be used in a classroom is between 2-5 milliwatts, pointers more than 500 times more powerful can be easily purchased online from overseas retailers, for less than $50. Such high-powered instruments were originally designed for industrial use, such as by surveyors or in the construction of multi-storied structures. Some have a range of up to two miles.

"We need to be clear about this," Robert Josephberg told USA TODAY Sports in a telephone interview from his office in Yonkers, NY. "These things are weapons; powerful weapons that can cause very severe damage and blindness. They are much more powerful than anyone appreciates."

Bills staff reported the incidents to the NFL's security department on Sunday following the team's 17-14 victory over the Lions at Ford Field. Detroit's front office issued a statement revealing that no culprit had been found but promising extra vigilance at future games.

"We are aware of reports from (the) game involving the use of a laser," the Lions statement read. "While Ford Field security was unable to identify anyone using a laser… any future occurrence will be dealt with accordingly."

Pointers are banned across major sports leagues but Josephburg insists that current federal laws, which primarily legislate against them being used against pilots of airplanes or helicopters, do not go far enough.

"There has been a significant increase in medical journals of reports of blindness caused by the lasers," said Josephberg, who has lobbied members of Congress for more than a year to discuss criminalizing intentionally dangerous use of laser pointers, to no avail. "The use seems to be increasing – and so does the power and availability of the pointers.

"If it is shined at someone with intent, such as in a game of football where you are looking to distract someone, then make it a felony. Congress needs to take note."

Use of laser pointers has become a worrying trend in European soccer matches and was highlighted in recent seasons when Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, widely regarded as the best two players in the world, were targeted in separate instances.

In February last year, United States goalkeeper Brad Guzan complained of having a laser pointed at his eyes during the national team's 0-0 draw with Mexico in Mexico City's Azteca Stadium during World Cup qualifying.

Such instances have been rare in American sports, although a 17-year-old St Louis Cardinals fan was arrested in 2012 for aiming a laser at San Francisco Giants pitcher Shane Loux.

The NFL will be keen to ensure Sunday's incident is an isolated case. A Twitter user – posting under the name Marko Beslach – boasted of using the laser to distract Bills players on Sunday. The account was then deleted.