A laser beam will diverge with distance, reducing the energy delivered per exposed area (ie your pupil). The atmosphere will also absorb the beam's energy.

To cause eye damage in the flight levels, you'd probably need need a large-aperture military-grade laser weapon. Those are obviously made of pure unobtainium.

You might be able to do it with an industrial laser, but those are not designed or able to be aimed at a moving target at a distance.

A green laser hit in the flight levels was probably an astronomy pointer (maybe boresighted on a telescope), it should not have the power to harm you at that range.