In the 80's we had laser goggles on our P3's. Any time we went down to look at a soviet boat, we had the goggles on. They seemed to enjoy illumnating us with their targeting lasers, as well as fire flares at us as we flew down the side of their ship.
Wasn't there one helo pilot that was permanently blinded by the Soviets?
I think the danger from hand held laser pointers has been highly exaggerated. From what I've read, visible light lasers can not cause any physical damage to the eye and their only effect is in that they may induce flash blindness (like a Sylvania Blue Dot flash bulb) and have much less effect at greater distances due to dispersion of the beam. In addition, AFAIK, the pilot would have to look directly into the beam for it to have much, if any effect.
I don't give a damn how much the danger may or may not be exaggerated. I ain't taken any chances with my eyesight, and anybody that points a laser of any type at my eyes will get their ass kicked.