Most of these thugs are going to be using the green astronomical lasers they get off of Ebay from China. They're not going to be using the invisible ones because they can't see them themselves and they won't get the desired panic from their victim. These things will cause permanent damage to sight and they're easily available. I'm an airline pilot and have been lased several times by thugs on the ground that like to shine them at passing aircraft for grins. The last time was a couple of years ago on final going into Paris. Fortunately for me I haven't had a direct hit while I was looking into it and thus no damage, but we've had a significant number of commercial pilots with permanent vision damage due to these criminals. Unfortunately it's very hard to catch them because it's almost impossible to pinpoint their location when the incident happens.
The best defense is to immediately close your eyes and look away, if you're not looking at it then you won't get hurt. If I were in an area where I had to worry so much about criminal thugs pointing lasers at me then I'd stop going there or move before I'd start wearing goggles all the time. That's like wearing a bulletproof vest every day, if you're in a place where that's necessary then you need to move someplace else.
Shining a laser in someone's eyes is assault with intent to do bodily harm and should absolutely be grounds for using deadly force to defend yourself.
“If I were in an area where I had to worry so much about criminal thugs pointing lasers at me then I’d stop going there or move before I’d start wearing goggles all the time.”
The only reason I’d wear a set of protective goggles is if rioters showed up in my neighborhood. I’d need the protection if I needed to defend the homestead. Slim chance that’ll happen...but you never know.