Ophthalmologists worldwide are warning that recent cases of teenagers who suffered eye damage after playing with high-powered green laser pointers could be the beginning of a dangerous trend.

“In the hands of children, [they are] a very scary proposition,” said one ophthalmologist.

Meanwhile, other eye doctors interviewed by the New York Times said they were shocked at how easily available high-powered laser pointers are. And, they note, pointers 10 to 20 times more powerful than the legal limit set by the Food and Drug Administration are easy to order online. One physician was able to purchase a 100 milliwatt laser – 20 times the legal limit – online for $28, no questions asked.