Radiation-Induced Cataract in a Hospital Radiology Worker
Asian Journal of Research and Reports in Ophthalmology,
Page 26-31
Abstract
Among the etiologies of cataracts, the action of ionizing radiation, known for a century, constitutes an original entity. Radiation-induced cataract seems to have to be considered from now on as a more frequent pathology than previously thought.
We report a case of radiation-induced cataract in a hospital radiology worker to describe its pathogenesis, its clinical aspect in order to prevent it.
Its original pathogenesis has both: certain specificities of deterministic effects: probable (but no longer certain) presence of a threshold, a certain proportionality of the severity of the effect with the dose, as well as certain specificities of stochastic effects: initial genomic damage that neither kills nor seriously damages the target cell but which will be transmitted to the cells of the lineage.
A worker is considered to be at risk insofar as he is likely to receive an equivalent dose to the lens of more than 150 mSv (milli-sieverts) per year. This is particularly the case for certain hospital staff, in interventional radiology. Recently, the International Commission on Radiological Protection has reduced their threshold dose estimate for deterministic effects to 0.5 Gy and is now recommending an occupational limit of 20 mSv per year on average.
Thus, to avoid ocular effects, professionals exposed to ionizing radiation must not only benefit from dosimetric monitoring to detect any excess of doses but also from regular ophthalmological monitoring, which will allow early diagnosis of these lens opacities. It is also important to insist on the continuous training of workers in radiation protection. To this end, these workers must now wear leaded goggles (since they reduce the dose received by 80%).
Keywords:
- Cataract
- ionizing radiation
- early diagnosis
- radiation protection
- prevention
How to Cite
References
Pederson SL, Li Puma MC, Hayes JM, et al. Effects of chronic low-dose radiation on cataract prevalence and characterization in wild boar (Sus scrofa) from Fukushima, Japan. Sci Rep. 2020;10: 4055.
Available:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-020-59734-5
Epidemiology and mechanistic effects of radiation on the lens of the eye: Review and scientific appraisal of the literature. EPRI, Palo Alto, CA: 2014. 3002003162; 2014.
Chalupecky H. Ueber die Wirkung der rontgenstrahlen auf das Aufe und die Haut, Z. Prakt. Augenheilk (Leipzig). 1897;21: 234-239.
Rohrschneider W. Experimentelle Katarakt Nach Mehrfacher Bestrablung Mit Kleinen Rontgenstrahlendosen, Ophth. Gesellach. 1930;48241-48244.
Merriam GR Jr, Worgul BV. Experimental radiation cataract – Its clinical relevance. Bull. N.Y. Acad. Med. 1983;59:372-392.
Merriam GR Jr, Focht EF. A clinical study of radiation cataracts and the relationship to dose. Am. J. Roentgenol. 1957;77:759-785.
Focht EF, Merriam GR Jr, Schwartz MS, Parsons RW. The relative biological effectiveness of cobalt 60 gamma and 200 KV X-radiation for cataract induction. Am. J. Roentgenol. Rad. Ther. Nuc. Med. 1968; 102:71-80.
ICRP Publication 60. 1990 Recommendations of the International Commission on Radiological Protection – Users' Edition, Ann. ICRP. 1991;21(1-3).
ICRP Publication 103. Recommendations of the ICRP, Ann. ICRP. 2007;37(2-4).
Labor Code (2008) Edition of 1st may 2008 – Article R.4451-13.
Aubert B, Paul D, Sabattier R. Dosimetry of personnel in hospitals, Radiation protection, 1997;32:163-179.
Christopher Thome, et al. Deterministic Effects to the lens of the eye following ionizing radiation exposure: Is there evidence to support a reduction in threshold dose? 2018;114(3):328-343.
DOI: 10.1097/ HP.0000000000000810
Chodick G, et al. Risk of cataract after exposure to low doses of ionizing radiation: A 20-year prospective cohort study among US radiologic Technologists, Am. J. Epidemiol. 2008;168:620-631.
Klein BEK, Klein R, Linton KLP, Franke T. Diagnostic X-ray exposure and lens opacities: The beaver eye dam eye study. Am. J. Publ. Health. 1993;83:588-590.
Gambini DJ, Granier R. Handbook of practical radiation protection – 3rd edition, Lavoisier; 2007.
Benzarti Mezni A, et al. The occupational radiation-induced cataract in five industrial radiographers; 2012.
DOI: 10.1016/j.jfo.2011.05.008
Explanatory notices to help diagnose occupational diseases, Reports EUR. 14768 FR. Health and Safety. 1994;183–9
-
Abstract View: 27 times
PDF Download: 11 times
