advertisement
Abstract #5695 Published in IGR 2-1
Ocular hypertonia and crystalline lens opacities in healthcare workers exposed to ionizing radiation
Lodi V; Fregonara C; Prati F; D'Elia V; Montesi M; Badiello R; Raffi GBArhiv za Higijenu Rada i Toksikologiju 1999; 50:183-187
Some activities performed by healthcare workers may still involve total or partial exposure to ionizing radiation exceeding the limit values. In addition to the appearance of crystalline lens opacities which may lead to rays-cataract, recent studies have indicated the possible induction of ocular hypertonia in occupationally exposed subjects. The aim of this study was to establish the actual prevalence of ocular hypertonia and crystalline lens opacities in a group of healthcare workers exposed to ionizing radiation. The data collected failed to show any significant risk of ocular hypertonia, and suggested that crystalline lens opacity was not an important indicator of exposure. Notwithstanding, preventive and periodic (every five years) ophthalmological control may prove helpful for medicolegal purposes. Namely, such control would record congenital crystalline lens opacities in many individuals and would thus rule out unjustified claims of occupational disease due to exposure to ionizing radiation. Additionally, ophthalmological control should focus on different, and probably more important, ocular risks for radiologists, such as the ocular fatigue resulting from the prolonged use of a video display terminal or other diagnostic screens or electrodiaphanoscopes. LA: <#>
Dr. V. Lodi, Unit of Occupational Medicine, S. Orsola-Malpighi Polyclinic, Bologna, Italy
Classification:
1.6 Prevention and screening (Part of: 1 General aspects)
