Will mouse still function if laser is removed?

I have a cheap laser mouse that I am going to convert into a morse code keyer adapter for using on a PC. This involves soldering audio cable ends to the mouse buttons to use the two buttons for keys (dots and dashes).

What I want to know is if the mouse buttons will be unaffected if I remove the laser, or will this brick the mouse. I want to remove the laser since it will just be more of an interference than anything in this adapter.