Prevalence of Lens Opacity in Interventional Cardiologists and Professional Working in the Hemodynamics in Brazil

Abstract

Background Posterior subcapsular cataract is a tissue reaction commonly found among professionals exposed to ionizing radiation. Objective To assess the prevalence of cataract in professionals working in hemodynamics in Brazil. Methods Professionals exposed to ionizing radiation (group 1, G1) underwent slit lamp examination with a biomicroscope for lens examination and compared with non-exposed subjects (group 2, G2). Ophthalmologic findings were described and classified by opacity degree and localization using the Lens Opacities Classification System III. Both groups answered a questionnaire on work and health conditions to investigate the presence of risk factors for cataract. The level of significance was set at 5% (p < 0.05). Results A total of 112 volunteers of G1, mean age of 44.95 (±10.23) years, and 88 volunteers of G2, mean age of 48.07 (±12.18) years were evaluated; 75.2% of G1 and 85.2% of G2 were physicians. Statistical analysis between G1 and G2 showed a prevalence of posterior subcapsular cataract of 13% and 2% in G1 and G2, respectively (0.0081). Considering physicians only, 38% of G1 and 15% of G2 had cataract, with the prevalence of posterior subcapsular cataract of 13% and 3%, respectively (p = 0.0176). Among non-physicians, no difference was found in the prevalence of cataract (by types). Conclusions Cataract was more prevalent in professionals exposed to ionizing radiation, with posterior subcapsular cataract the most frequent finding.

Eye lens opacities and cataracts among physicians and healthcare workers occupationally exposed to radiation

“… 32 Auvinen et al 33 reported that the most frequent disorder among physicians was posterior subcapsular opacity (prevalence ratio of 2.1), followed by nuclear opacity (0.82) and cortical opacity (0.41). Similarly, Barbosa et al 34 reported an elevated incidence of any type of lens opacity (38%) followed by PSCs (13%) among healthcare professionals working in the area of cardiac hemodynamics in Brazil. The incidence of PSC opacity is 2-fold higher in occupationally exposed healthcare workers in comparison with the non-exposed workers.…”

The practice of radiation protection in an interventional neuroradiology service

“…The same study indicated an increase in radiogenic cataracts among exposed workers when compared to the non-exposed group. 18 By respecting the 20 mSv limit for the equivalent lens dose, neuroradiologists, when exposed without the lead-containing goggles, could only perform a maximum of 119 interventional procedures/year, while with the use of such goggles the number would rise to 602 procedures/year. 19 Given the higher incidence of radiogenic cataracts in workers who work in interventional radiology and the possibility of performing a higher number of procedures with the guarantee that the dose threshold will not be exceeded, the use of lead glasses is essential in this environment.…”

Fluoroscopically guided vascular and cardiac transcatheter procedures: a comparison of occupational and patient dose by anatomical region

“…Deterministic effects typically have a threshold below which they will not occur [ 7 ]. Skin damage to patients following fluoroscopically guided procedures has been well reported [ 8 , 9 ], as has the incidence of subcapsular cataracts in occupationally exposed staff [ 10 , 11 ]. Unlike visible tissue changes to the skin or the eyes, it is more difficult to observe tissue changes in internal organs and vascular systems [ 6 ].…”