Camera Lens Burn Out by extreme light

Hi

Slightly off topic but sure you can help.

We have a Laser etcher at work which etches barcodes into metal pipes all good ;-)

But recently we added a barcode reader to reader the barcode etched this is a photo reader so takes a photo and then analyses the barcode.

How ever when we look at the lens on the reader thru the software now it has black lines vertically across it hmmmm like parts of a barcode.

So I am thinking the laser has burn the photoelectric sensor? does this sound feasible, I have had a quick google and some people say welding light (which is similar burning out but other say no they ok)

Yep had it confirmed from supplier its burnt the shit out of it so now you all know ;-)

Buying a new one and implementing a little sliding cover to hide the laser when its etching.