Eye Damage Caused by Radiation

Overview

The paper deals with the issue of eye damage caused by radiation in a complex way focusing on the risks in the workingenvironment. The first part is devoted to ionizing radiation from the point of view of physical forms, resources, and generalinteractions with the tissue and especially from the point of view of lesions of particular structures of the eye by ionizing radiationin terms of radiation cataract, keratitis, retinopathy and neuropathy. The second part comprises the interactions of the mostcommon forms of nonionizing radiation – ultraviolet, infrared, visible part of the electromagnetic spectrum and lasers with eyetissues. The general mechanism of their effect – mechanical, thermal or photochemic, and particular clinical units – ophthalmiaphotoelectrica of welders, cataract of glass-workers, phototoxic retinopathy and others, are presented. The paper also mentionstherapeutic possibilities and preventive measures in particular eye lesions.

Key words:
ionizing radiation, nonionizing radiation, eye damage caused by radiation