Pilots zapped by laser inflight

There are alarming increase in reports from pilots who think they have been zapped by laser inflight.
From what I understand some of these encounters have come from police, traffic and news helicopter pilots.
Most of whom operate at low levels, in congested metropolitan areas and mostly look down through floor board plexiglass type openings typical in these rotorcraft.
Commercial and fixed wing pilots spend less time in low altitude flying and typically look slantly down to the ground during take off and landings.
Laser encounter can momentary cause blindness in pilots and occupants and obviously dangerous to the safety of flight.