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17 August 2005 - Pilots Eyes at Risk of
Cataracts
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The results of a study by Archives of Ophthalmology's Icelandic
researchers concludes that pilots and cabin crews may have an increased risk of
cataracts due to cosmic rays. The nature of their work requires them
to be at altitude where the air is thinner, thus exposing them to cosmic
radiation which is greater than at sea level.
Exposure to radiation can range between 100 to 300 times greater
at altitude than at sea level. The average UK persons' exposure to
radiation is 2.6millisieverts per year, whereas airline staff are exposed to
levels of 4.6millisieverts per year.
The study measured exposure to cosmic radiation by the following
methods:
Adjustments were made for age, smoking status and sunbathing
habits, with the conclusion of the study indicating that cosmic radiation may be
a causative factor in nuclear cataracts among commercial airline pilots.
The full study can be accessed from Archives of Ophthalmology by
clicking the following:
Cosmic Radiation Increases the Risk of Nuclear Cataract in Airline Pilots
Article by Alexandra Johnston
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