The lens of the eye: exposures in the UK medical sector and mechanistic studies of radiation effects

Bouffler, S.; Peters, S.; Gilvin, P.; Slack, K.; Markiewicz, E.M.; Quinlan, R.A.; Gillan, J.; Coster, M.; Barnard, S.; Rothkamm, K.; Ainsbury, E.

doi:10.1177/0146645314560693

The lens of the eye: exposures in the UK medical sector and mechanistic studies of radiation effects

Bouffler, S.; Peters, S.; Gilvin, P.; Slack, K.; Markiewicz, E.M.; Quinlan, R.A.; Gillan, J.; Coster, M.; Barnard, S.; Rothkamm, K.; Ainsbury, E.

Authors

S. Bouffler

S. Peters

P. Gilvin

K. Slack

E.M. Markiewicz

Professor Roy Quinlan r.a.quinlan@durham.ac.uk
Emeritus Professor

J. Gillan

M. Coster

S. Barnard

K. Rothkamm

E. Ainsbury

Abstract

The recommendation from the International Commission on Radiological Protection that the occupational equivalent dose limit for the lens of the eye should be reduced to 20 mSv year−1, averaged over 5 years with no year exceeding 50 mSv, has stimulated a discussion on the practicalities of implementation of this revised dose limit, and the most appropriate risk and protection framework to adopt. This brief paper provides an overview of some of the drivers behind the move to a lower recommended dose limit. The issue of implementation in the medical sector in the UK has been addressed through a small-scale survey of doses to the lens of the eye amongst interventional cardiologists and radiologists. In addition, a mechanistic study of early and late post-irradiation changes in the lens of the eye in in-vivo-exposed mice is outlined. Surveys and studies such as those described can contribute to a deeper understanding of fundamental and practical issues, and therefore contribute to a robust evidence base for ensuring adequate protection of the eye while avoiding undesirable restrictions to working practices.

Citation

Bouffler, S., Peters, S., Gilvin, P., Slack, K., Markiewicz, E., Quinlan, R., …Ainsbury, E. (2015). The lens of the eye: exposures in the UK medical sector and mechanistic studies of radiation effects. Annals of the ICRP, 44(1 Suppl), 84-90. https://doi.org/10.1177/0146645314560693

Journal Article Type	Article
Acceptance Date	May 28, 2015
Publication Date	Jun 1, 2015
Deposit Date	May 28, 2015
Journal	Annals of the ICRP
Print ISSN	0146-6453
Publisher	SAGE Publications
Peer Reviewed	Peer Reviewed
Volume	44
Issue	1 Suppl
Pages	84-90
DOI	https://doi.org/10.1177/0146645314560693
Keywords	Eye lens, Radiation, Cataract, Exposure, Medical, Mechanisms.