title: Radiologists and visual acuity.
abstract: Visual acuity (VA) and potential risks to the radiologist's eyesight have been relatively neglected subjects in the radiological literature. This study comprises two parts, the first consisting of a questionnaire on this subject sent to a random sample of 480 practising radiologists in the United Kingdom, and the second, a spot check of the VA of radiologists in our department. Of questionnaires, 73 %were returned. Of respondents, 76 % felt that ionising radiation could affect their vision, but only 13 % used lead glasses on a regular basis. A total of 71 % felt that regular monitoring of eyesight should be required. Of 25 tested radiologists, 5 had suboptimal VA and could benefit from further correction. The pertinent literature is reviewed, and a case for periodic eyesight testing is presented, including VA and grey-scale discrimination.
authors.affiliation: The Royal London Hospital, Whitechapel Road, London E1 1BB, UK.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Quaghebeur
authors.forename: J J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Bhattacharya
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Murfitt
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005135:Eye Protective Devices; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects; D011832:Radiation Injuries / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D011839:Radiation, Ionizing; D011871:Radiology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014786:Vision Disorders / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D014792:Visual Acuity / Q000502:physiology* / Q000528:radiation effects