Radiation-induced cataract in astronauts and cosmonauts

Abstract

The aim of this study - to conduct first examinations of astronauts' and cosmonauts' ocular lenses with regard to signs of radiation-induced cataract - was successfully achieved in a total of 21 astronauts and cosmonauts using a Scheimpflug camera system. It is planned to examine a larger group of astronauts and cosmonauts in the future.

Radiation Exposure to the Surgeon During Fluoroscopically Assisted Percutaneous Vertebroplasty

“…33 The association of cataractogenesis to ionizing radiation was first described in 1897 by Chalupecky. 34 The effect of radiation to the eye lens has been investigated in astronauts being exposed to relatively high doses of all types of radiation in space 35,36 and patients undergoing total body irradiation before bone marrow transplantation. 37,38 During protracted irradiation, repair of sublethal damage takes place.…”

Visual stability of laser vision correction in an astronaut on a Soyuz mission to the International Space Station

“…[34][35][36] Although short-duration exposure to such radiation appears harmless, some evidence suggests that longterm exposure may lead to cataract formation. [37][38][39] In the early days of the space program, potential space-flight candidates were subjected to extremely rigorous physical criteria for selection as an astronaut or cosmonaut. This rigid selection process largely eliminated the need for optical correction.…”

Ionizing Radiation as a Risk Factor for Cataract: What about Low-Dose Effects?

“…Another small German study was performed on 21 former astronaut volunteers for whom the Scheimpflug technique was applied in order to assess minor opacities in the posterior capsule [24]. Age ranged from 40 to 69 years, half of the population being more than 50 years old.…”