In plain language
In six cardiac cath lab nurses in Japan, eye lens doses reached up to about 9 mSv per year without lead glasses. Neck badges and patient dose metrics correlated with eye dose but imprecisely, so dedicated eye dosimeters are advised for higher-exposed nurses.
At a glance
- Type of study
- Original research, Dosimetry measurement study
- Who was studied
- Nurses
- Size
- n = 6 nurses
- Where
- Japan
- Summary based on
- the full text
What it found
The highest-exposed nurse, who assisted in the most procedures, had projected annual eye doses below the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) limit but within about 5 mSv of it.
Key figures: DOSIRIS left and right eye = 8.9 and 8.4 mSv/y; neck 13.2 and 15.4 mSv/y
Lens and neck badge doses correlated significantly, but neck badges tended to read higher and many values fell outside the 95% confidence interval (CI), so direct eye dosimetry is recommended.
Key figures: R2 = 0.6968 (left), 0.6508 (right)
No significant left-right difference in nurse eye or neck doses; right side was slightly higher.
Key figures: lens p = 0.8769; neck p = 0.7038
Nurse neck and lens doses correlated with patient fluoroscopy time and air kerma, more weakly for lens dose.
Key figures: neck r ≥ 0.8; lens r < 0.8
The nurse with the highest per-procedure dose may have used the protective plate improperly and stayed close to the patient.
Limits to keep in mind
Only six nurses at a single Japanese hospital over 6 months, without lead glasses; correlations based on monthly aggregate readings with variation across procedure types and nurse behavior.
Related research summaries
- Occupational radiation exposure and crystalline lens density in perioperative nurses: a short communication (2026, Cross-sectional survey)
- Investigation of Radiation Exposure of Medical Staff During Lateral Fluoroscopy for Posterior Spinal Fusion Surgery (2024, Phantom or simulation study)
- Radiation eye dose to medical staff during respiratory endoscopy under X-ray fluoroscopy (2020, Dosimetry measurement study)
- Radiation-associated lens opacities in catheterization personnel: results of a survey and direct assessments (2013, Cross-sectional survey)
- Occupational radiation doses to the extremities and the eyes in interventional radiology and cardiology procedures (2011, Dosimetry measurement study)
How this summary was made
ORSIF prepared this summary with AI assistance from the full text of the paper. A program then checked that the passage supporting each finding appears word for word in that source. A person has not yet reviewed each summary, so read the original before relying on a number. ORSIF summarizes research and does not endorse any product or company. Report a problem with this summary.
Prepared November 3, 2026.