S. Bouffler
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. 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. |