radiation injury to the eye
Last reviewed 01/2018
- ultraviolet irradiation - see linked item
- glassblower's cataract may result from infrared exposure but is now rare. Looking at the sun without an adequate filter - solar burn - may damage the macular and produce severe visual loss
- radiotherapy is the most common cause of damage due to ionising radiation. Often, the entire eye is affected. The skin of the eyelids may become atrophic and the eyelashes may be lost. Conjunctival scarring may produce a dry eye and a cataract may develop months later. Ischaemic changes in the posterior segment inevitably produces retinal and optic atrophy