CR3 News Magazine 2024 VOL 3: MAY MEDICAL EDITION | Page 30

Physicians need to be aware of the effects of radiation on the eyes

Vered Wolpaw , ‘ 25 and Chrysan Cronin , DrPH , MPH , MS
Years of research have shown us that radon exposure has a significant effect on the body , but often these studies are focused on the effects of inhaling radon into the lungs . New studies have shown effects on portions of the body externally exposed to radon in the air . The eye ’ s lens is one of the most radiosensitive organs in the human body and is directly exposed to the external environment . This exposure to radon and other forms of radiation over time can cause radiation induced cataracts . Cataracts are commonly associated with age due to the formation of opaque spots on the lens of the eye over time . These opacities can block the patient ’ s vision and ultimately need to be removed in order to restore vision . Being exposed to high levels of radiation for long periods of time and over many years can cause similar opacities in the eye ’ s lens , and at a significantly younger age . The only way to treat this is to surgically remove the lens and replace it with an artificial lens . There are many ways to predict , prevent , and slow the formation of these cataracts , but they require physicians to be aware of the effects of exposure to radiation and the places where exposure may occur .
Cataracts have been shown to form more quickly and at a younger age in people exposed to high levels of radiation for significant amounts of time . The limit that was set in place through studies many years ago and that helped to develop the guidelines for people exposed to radiation today has been shown to be inaccurate . A study looking at the causes and formation of cataracts determined the previous threshold of 8 Sv radiation for cataracts to form is much too high . The formation of cataracts due to exposure to radiation , can form from exposure to significantly lower doses . With many ways to be exposed to radiation one could reach this threshold without even knowing they have been exposed at all . A study performed at Union College showed that because “[ l ] enses for eyeglasses in the United States are most commonly made of CR‐39 ( allyl diglycol carbonate ), an alpha‐particle‐sensitive plastic ,” radon exposure can be detected on a person ’ s own eyeglass lenses . It can be difficult to track all the places a person may have been exposed to radon , but using the lenses of someone ’ s previous pair of glasses to show this exposure can be incredibly helpful in assessing the level of risk for radon‐related health effects .