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  • Title: Risk of occupational radiation-induced cataract in medical workers.
    Author: Milacic S.
    Journal: Med Lav; 2009; 100(3):178-86. PubMed ID: 19601402.
    Abstract:
    BACKGROUND: ionizing radiation on the lens of the eye can produce a progressive cataract. Small cumulative doses, over a long time period, can produce adverse effects on the professional capabilities of health workers in the ionizing radiation zone. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to ascertain whether occupational exposure to low levels of ionizing radiation can cause an increase in prevalence of cataract. METHOD: We compared a group with occupational cataract, consisting of 115 health workers in the ionizing radiation zone, and two control groups: a group of 100 health-care workers in the ionizing radiation zone, with a higher incidence of chromosomal aberrations, but without cataract; and another control group of 26 health-care workers with cataract, outside the zone; all risk factors for the development of cataract were considered: age, sex, diference in profession, duration of occupational exposure, years of service, level of blood sugar, blood pressure, arrhythmias, etc. RESULTS: A more significant incidence of cataract was found in workers in the ionizing radiation zone, where the relative risk was 4.6; p < 0.01. Radiology technicians showed the highest prevalence (63.5%), while physicians-radiologists and pneumologists were second (15.7%) and third (10.3%) respectively; nurses showed a 3.5% incidence and nuclear medicine department workers showed an incidence of only 1.7%. Other risk factors had an effect on the development of cataract (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Occupational exposure to low doses of ionizing radiation, together with other risk factors, is a significant cofactor in the occurrence of cataract as an occupational disease among x-ray exposed health care workers. The categories most at risk are radiology technicians,followed by radiologists.
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