Influence Of Ionizing Radiation On The Eye, Particularly The Anterior Segment Of The Eye And The Appearance Of Cataract

X-rays are a form of electromagnetic radiation, similar to visible light. Unlike light, however, x-rays have higher energy and can pass through most objects, including the body. Medical x-rays are used to generate images of tissues and structures inside the body. X-rays have found their multifaceted application in many areas of human activity, and mainly is their application in X-ray diagnostics and therapy.However, their harmful effects on certain organs and tissues were quickly noticed. Among the first are damage to the organ of visual system, one of the most sensitive organs to ionizing radiation.

 

The aim of this abstract  is to determine whether the long-term exposure to ionizing radiation leads to changes in the eye, particularly the lens that is extremely sensitive to radiation and the anterior segment of the eye in people who have been working for 5-10 years in the radiation zone.

The study took place in two centers located in Belgrade, Serbia. The first center examined 66 persons employed at the Institute of Radiology at the Military Medical Academy, and the second center examined

the second center examined 20 persons radiologists and X-ray technicians working in medical centers and the Diagnostic Center at Medigroup Serbia.

Ophthalmological examinations were part of periodic medical examinations once a year to check their health condition.Ophthalmological examination included control of visual acuity with or without correction, IOP check, examination on a wide-pupil slit-lamp, indirect and direct ophthalmoscopy.The appearance of cataracts is of the greatest importance for us. It should be noted that the length and dose of radiation exposure is crucial in the development of changes that would be significant for the occurrence of cataracts.The eye lens is recognized as one of the most sensitive tissues in the human 

body. Although much work has been done in this area, the exact mechanisms of radiation cataractogenesis have not yet been fully understood. In particular, the issue of the dose limit for cataract development has not been resolved.

The first clinical signs of radiation-induced cataracts are often freckled blurring in the posterior capsule and feathery anterior subcapsular opacities that extends toward the equator of the lens. These changes can progress to complete clouding of the lens.The effect of radiation on the ocular surface of the eye, which includes both conjunctiva and corneae, as well the lack of tears,loss of corneal sensation,loss of corneal epithelium and its failure to heal, secondary microbial keratitis.It also often leads to 

 Meibomian dysfunction (MGD)which can consequently lead to Blepharitis and dry eye.

Only 4 people showed blurring on the posterior pole of the lens and only on one eye. All respondents were radiology specialists working for 8 and 10 years at the MMA Institute of Radiology an only one person in another cener showed bilateral cataracts with pronounced signs of dry eye, he is a radiologist with over 20 years of experience.

In all cases, at the first examination, special attention was paid to the existence of a possible congenital cataract. The number of cataracts we found and the number of respondents was not sufficient for statistical processing. Therefore, further examination is continued in order to come to even more significant conclusions