Radiation exposure and protection for eyes in pain management

ABSTRACT

C-arm fluoroscopy is important device for pain management. However, pain physicians can be exposed to radiation during C-arm fluoroscopy-guided interventions. In the annual maximal permissible radiation doses, the dose of lens is lower than the doses of the thyroid and gonads. In the human body, the lens of eye is one of the most sensitive parts for radiation exposure. Cataract or opacity of lens is the most common complication of eye related to radiation. Several years ago, the threshold dose of a radiation induced cataract was changed to 0.5 Gy. In 2011, International Commission on Radiological Protection reduced the annual permissible radiation dose for the lens from 150 mSv to 20 mSv. According to the lower level of permissible radiation dose for lens, physicians should reduce their radiation exposure. This review presents the complications of the lens related to radiation exposure, permissible doses for the lens, radiation exposure of physicians, protective devices for the lens, and methods for radiation safety.