Eye changes observed in the first years after a radiation disaster: some results of the reanalysis

Abstract

Aim. The prospect of the emergence of new zones of radiation contamination as a result of nuclear incidents makes it relevant to describe in detail the changes in the state of the eye, the appearance of which ophthalmologists should expect in the first years after radiation exposure. Among these conditions are vitreous changes and retinal angiopathy, their features in the early period after radiation exposure are insufficiently described. Methods and Materials. A reanalysis of the results of ophthalmological examination vitreous body and retina in 217 inhabitants of radiation-contaminated regions of Ukraine, conducted in 1992, 6 years after the Chornobyl disaster, was carried out. 148 residents of Zhytomyr region, 30 residents of Kyiv region, 33 residents of Rivne region and 6 residents of Chernihiv region were examined. Of the population, 18.9% were 20-29 years old, 23.0% – 30-39 years old, 16.6% – 40-49 years old, 30.4% – 50– 59 years and 11.1% were 60 years or older. Ophthalmological examination during this period was carried out according to a standardized technique, which allows for a qualitative reanalysis of these results and comparison with the data obtained from studies carried out later. Results. Vitreous changes in the form of clearly detected opacities and significant destruction were observed during the study in 29.5% of those examined. The incidence of optically visible vitreous pathological changes was statistically significantly higher in the group with a total content of cesium isotopes 137Cs and 134Cs greater than 3,700 Bq/whole body. The relative risk was 1.97 (1.03–3.75) with Chi-square = 4.54, p = 0.017. Analysis of the state of the choroid of the retina depending on the content of 137Cs and 134Cs throughout the body showed a statistically significant increase in the incidence of retinal vascular changes with an increase in the content of cesium radioisotopes in the body (Mantel-Haenszel Chi-square = 4.87; p = 0.027). The relative risk of retinal vascular abnormalities in the group with a total content of 137Cs and 134Cs greater than 3,700 Bq/whole body compared to the group with an incorporated radioisotope content of less than 3,700 Bq/whole body was 1.42 (1.08–1.87). Conclusions. Thus, already in the period from 6 years after the radiation incident, there may be a significant increase in the frequency of retinal vascular changes, destruction and opacity of the vitreous body in residents of areas exposed to radiation contamination.