title: Quantitative evaluation of light scattering intensities of the crystalline lens for radiation related minimal change in interventional radiologists: a cross-sectional pilot study.
abstract: To evaluate low-dose X-ray radiation effects on the eye by measuring the amount of light scattering in specific regions of the lens, we compared exposed subjects (interventional radiologists) with unexposed subjects (employees of medical service companies), as a pilot study. According to numerous exclusionary rules, subjects with confounding variables contributing to cataract formation were excluded. Left eye examinations were performed on 68 exposed subjects and 171 unexposed subjects. The eye examinations consisted of an initial screening examination, followed by Scheimpflug imaging of the lens using an anterior eye segment analysis system. The subjects were assessed for the quantity of light scattering intensities found in each of the six layers of the lens. Multiple stepwise regression analyses were performed with the stepwise regression for six variables: age, radiation exposure, smoking, drinking, wearing glasses and workplace. In addition, an age-matched comparison between exposed and unexposed subjects was performed. Minimal increased light scattering intensity in the posterior subcapsular region showed statistical significance. Our results indicate that occupational radiation exposure in interventional radiologists may affect the posterior subcapsular region of the lens. Since by its very nature this retrospective study had many limitations, further well-designed studies concerning minimal radiation-related lens changes should be carried out in a low-dose exposure group.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Kurume University School of Medicine, 67 Asahi-Machi, Kurume, Fukuoka 830-0011, Japan. toshiabe@med.kurume-u.ac.jp
authors.forename: Toshi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Abe
authors.forename: Shigeru
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Furui
authors.forename: Hiroshi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Sasaki
authors.forename: Yasuo
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Sakamoto
authors.forename: Shigeru
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Suzuki
authors.forename: Tatsuya
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Ishitake
authors.forename: Kinuyo
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Terasaki
authors.forename: Hiroshi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kohtake
authors.forename: Alexander M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Norbash
authors.forename: Richard H
authors.initials: RH
authors.lastname: Behrman
authors.forename: Naofumi
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Hayabuchi
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007564:Japan / Q000453:epidemiology; D007908:Lens, Crystalline / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000502:physiology*; D008027:Light; D008297:Male; D009391:Nephelometry and Turbidimetry / Q000379:methods*; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011829:Radiation Dosage; D015641:Radiography, Interventional / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012542:Scattering, Radiation