Abstract

Occupational eye lens dose in interventional radiology and cardiology: new insights

Author(s): Efstathios P Efstathopoulos

Interventional radiology and cardiology procedures deliver high radiation dose to physicians and interventional suite staff. Nowadays the interest has been focused on occupational dose to the lens of the eye. Recent epidemiological studies have shown that radiation-induced cataract is observed in lower dose threshold than the previous considered by ICRP 103. Based on these studies, in 2011, ICRP reduced the annual occupational dose limit for the lens of the eye to 20 mSv while the dose threshold was determined 0.5 Gy. Many reports have demonstrated that the occupational ocular dose may exceed the new annual limit if radiation protection equipment is not used. New considerations regarding the dose to the eye necessitate the education of medical personnel on radiation protection issues and the dosimetry of the lens in clinical routine.