No risk of anyone being blinded; the emissions are very short range, and the whole event from detection to defeat takes only a very few seconds.
That sounds comforting Capt Sensible but I would prefer a more objective assessment.
According to the quoted article,
"preliminary evaluation of the sensor to be developed, using Ofil’s proprietary technology, points to a detection capability of UV emitting threats from a distance of 4-5 km"
In contrast, another aircraft might be only 1000 feet below. At that range a laser powerful enough to disable a missile could be crippling to human eyesight.