Rami Arieli: "The Laser Adventure" Chapter 9.3.4 page 1
9.3.4 Laser blinding for man and sensitive equipment.

A simple and very promising project, which is being developed at many sites all over the world, is laser system for blinding enemy soldiers and their optical equipment.

The power required is not specially high, because of the high sensitivity of our sight system, and the high sensitivity of the optical detection systems in use at the battlefield.

The operation of blinding laser system is simple:

The laser beam is used to scan the space in front of the military troops, blinding enemy soldiers and their equipment.

As can be seen in the Appendix, optical power density higher than the safe level can cause blindness (temporary or permanent) to humans, and saturation or damage to sensitive optical equipment.