title: Occupational Exposure of the Eye Lens in Interventional Procedures: How to Assess and Manage Radiation Dose.
abstract: Occupational exposure from interventional x-ray procedures is one of the areas in which increased eye lens exposure may occur. Accurate dosimetry is an important element to investigate the correlation of observed radiation effects with radiation dose, to verify the compliance with regulatory dose limits, and to optimize radiation protection practice. The objective of this work is to review eye lens dose levels in clinical practice that may occur from the use of ionizing radiation. The use of a dedicated eye lens dosimeter is the recommended methodology; however, in practice it cannot always be easily implemented. Alternatively, the eye lens dose could be assessed from measurements of other dosimetric quantities or other indirect parameters, such as patient dose. The practical implementation of monitoring eye lens doses and the use of adequate protective equipment still remains a challenge. The use of lead glasses with a good fit to the face, appropriate lateral coverage, and/or ceiling-suspended screens is recommended in workplaces with potential high eye lens doses.
authors.affiliation: Vinca Institute of Nuclear Science, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia. Electronic address: ociraj@vinca.rs.
authors.forename: Olivera
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Ciraj-Bjelac
authors.affiliation: Greek Atomic Energy Commission (GAEC), Attiki, Greece.
authors.forename: Eleftheria
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Carinou
authors.affiliation: ENEA-Radiation Protection Institute, Bologna, Italy.
authors.forename: Paolo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Ferrari
authors.affiliation: Universitat Politecnica de Catalunya (UPC), Barcelona, Spain.
authors.forename: Merce
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gingaume
authors.affiliation: Institute of Radiation Physics, University Hospital of Lausanne (CHUV); University Hospital of Geneva (HUG), Switzerland.
authors.forename: Marta Sans
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Merce
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Physics & Bioengineering, St. James's Hospital, Dublin, Ireland.
authors.forename: Una
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: O'Connor
mesh_terms: D005135:Eye Protective Devices; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007908:Lens, Crystalline / Q000528:radiation effects*; D008297:Male; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011829:Radiation Dosage; D011835:Radiation Protection / Q000379:methods*; D015641:Radiography, Interventional; D011874:Radiometry
keywords: Eye lens; fluoroscopy; interventional procedures; occupational exposure; radiation dose