Yes but the reason I pose my question is that the topic is red LEDs, not IR LEDs nor laser diodes, and there's nothing in this article suggesting that for some odd reason you must stare directly into the light source as opposed to looking at a diffusor.

I insist that the "OP" is mostly being alarmist without thinking about all the 620-700 nm (and deeper infrared) exposure we perceive throughout every day.