In plain language
Among 117 conference attendees, interventional cardiologists and cath-lab staff with occupational radiation exposure had more lens changes than unexposed controls (47% vs 17%). These were mostly subclinical, and frank cataract rates did not differ significantly.
At a glance
- Type of study
- Original research, Cross-sectional survey
- Who was studied
- Interventional cardiologists, Mixed lab staff
- Size
- n = 117 participants
- Topics
- Eye lens and cataracts
- Summary based on
- the abstract
What it found
Cortical and posterior subcapsular lens changes, including subclinical findings, were more common in exposed cath-lab participants than in unexposed controls.
Key figures: 47 vs. 17%, P = 0.015
Occupational radiation exposure and age over 60 were independent predictors of lens changes.
Key figures: Odds ratio (OR) 6.07 [1.38-43.45] for exposure; OR 7.72 [1.60-43.34] for age over 60
Frank lens opacities were uncommon, and their prevalence did not differ significantly between exposed participants and controls.
Key figures: 14 vs. 6%, P = 0.461
Most lens findings were subclinical changes in the lens periphery that did not affect visual acuity.
Limits to keep in mind
This was a small cross-sectional convenience sample recruited at a conference, with only 18 controls who were younger and less often male than exposed participants, and exposure was assessed by questionnaire. The wide confidence intervals reflect imprecision.
Related research summaries
- Increasing Awareness and Reducing Occupational Hazards in the Cardiac Catheterization and Electrophysiology Laboratories: Working to Eliminate Lead and Complications of Radiation in Cardiovascular Team Study (2026, Cross-sectional survey)
- Occupational Health Risks in Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory Workers (2018, Cross-sectional survey)
- A New Design of a Lead-Acrylic Shield for Staff Dose Reduction in Radial and Femoral Access Coronary Catheterization (2015, Phantom or simulation study)
- Radiation-associated lens opacities in catheterization personnel: results of a survey and direct assessments (2013, Cross-sectional survey)
- The occupational effects of interventional cardiology: results from the WIN for Safety survey (2012, Cross-sectional survey)
How this summary was made
ORSIF prepared this summary with AI assistance from the abstract 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.