A321
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Distraction; Physiological - Other; Situational Awareness
Flight Deck / Cabin / Aircraft Event Illness / Injury; Inflight Event / Encounter Other / Unknown
Flight Crew Became Reoriented; General Physical Injury / Incapacitation
Airport; Environment - Non Weather Related
On a visual approach to 25L; with the autopilot coupled to the ILS 25L at KLAX just inside of FUELR; a green laser directly targeted our aircraft; originating just west of the San Gabriel River in line with the approach path. The initial illumination was very bright. The First officer called out laser and we both brought our  heads inside the cockpit. I could not see any light in the cockpit so after a couple of seconds I brought my head up ; and was illuminated again directly in my left eye. I put my head back down until crossing GAATE which  I believed to be just across the San Gabriel River. After landing I realized that we were on a visual approach; and both of us were inside the cockpit not  looking out for 5-7 seconds; causing a momentary loss of situational awareness.  Los Angeles Tower was notified; aircraft landed without further incident.  My left eye was watering and I had a headache on the left side of my head as expected from military  training and experience with Green Laser events. Unknown Green Laser source; San Gabriel River area directly on final approach path.
A321 Captain reported being targeted by a laser while performing an approach to LAX Airport. This event resulted in a momentary loss of situational awareness and injury to his left eye.