Having a green/red blob in front of your vision, still apparent after a few mins, is very disconcerting and certainly makes you wonder if any permanent damage has been done. Thoughts of loss of licence livelihood etc, not the best idea to continue. Medlink would have had an input too e.g. give it 10 mins & see (excuse pun) if impairment is still noticeable.
As for looking out the window, um you don;t have to lean over and look down to see the ground. A laser will easily shine into the cockpit from the side, the side screens are quite big.
imho the crew didn't have much choice than to return & get medical help.
What wattage was the laser then ? Difficult to tell from an airliner cockpit.