EMB ERJ 145 ER/LR
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Other / Unknown
Other Laser
General Physical Injury / Incapacitation
Human Factors
On visual approach to runway 4R to EWR. We had a bright green light beam shined at us that lit up the cockpit temporarily; then the laser beam was directly shined into my left eye. The First Officer was the flying pilot and I was the non flying pilot on this flight; the FO safely continued the approach and landed at EWR.I experienced pain and discomfort in my left eye for about 30-45 minutes due to the severe and direct exposure to the bright laser light beam. The approximate location was about 10 miles south of EWR as we joined the localizer; around the vicinity of a shopping mall which was to our west. EWR tower was notified and other aircraft following us also reported seeing the same event. The light beam caused temporary blindness with white lights and spots being seen in left eye.
EMB-145LR Captain reported being targeted by a laser on approach to EWR and suffered physical effects for 30-45 minutes.