title: Ocular radiation exposure in modern urological practice.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The human eye is a highly radiosensitive portion of the body and repeat radiation exposure can lead to cataract. The minimum fractionated long-term dose to initiate cataract formation is about 2,500 mSv. We determined whether further radiation related precautions are necessary to protect the eyes of the surgeon.
  
  
  METHODS
  Radiation doses received near the right eye of the operating surgeon were measured with a thermoluminescent dosimeter badge worn near the eye of 6 urologists for a single endourological procedure at an academic center. Procedures included stent insertion, ureteroscopic lithotripsy and percutaneous nephrolithotomy. The mean radiation dose was calculated. Extrapolated doses required to potentiate cataract formation were also calculated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We assessed 28 urological procedures for radiation exposure, of which 13 were ureteroscopy done for calculus disease (range 0.05 to 0.66 mSv) and 7 were ureteral stent insertion (range 0.13 to 0.32 mSv). The mean radiation dose received during these cases was 0.208 mSv. Based on the mean dose and an average of 20 such cases per month, it would take about 50 years to reach the minimum threshold for progressive cataract formation. Eight percutaneous renal operations were performed and the mean dose received was 0.125 mSv (range 0.04 to 0.22). Based on 10 cases per month, this would require more than 160 years of exposure to reach the minimal threshold.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Long-term radiation can lead to cataract formation. However, the accumulated lifetime exposure of the typical urologist may not necessitate further safety precautions, such as lead-lined glasses.
authors: Division of Urology, Southern Illinois University, Springfield, Illinois 62794, USA.
authors: Eric R
authors: ER
authors: Taylor
authors: Brandan
authors: B
authors: Kramer
authors: Thomas P
authors: TP
authors: Frye
authors: Steve
authors: S
authors: Wang
authors: Bradley F
authors: BF
authors: Schwartz
authors: Tobias S
authors: TS
authors: Köhler
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002386:Cataract / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D015331:Cohort Studies; D004307:Dose-Response Relationship, Radiation; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011829:Radiation Dosage; D011832:Radiation Injuries / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology; D011835:Radiation Protection / Q000379:methods*; D015641:Radiography, Interventional / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000379:methods; D018570:Risk Assessment; D013997:Time Factors; D013520:Urologic Surgical Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods