The Incidence Risk for Primary Glaucoma and Its Subtypes following Chronic Exposure to Ionizing Radiation in the Russian Cohort of Mayak Nuclear Workers.

Secondary glaucoma is a typical normal tissue complication following radiation therapy involving ocular radiation exposure at high fractionated dose (several tens of Gy). In contrast, recent studies in acutely exposed Japanese atomic bomb survivors showed a significantly increased risk for normal-tension glaucoma (NTG, a subtype of primary open-angle glaucoma) at much lower dose, but such information is not available in any other cohorts. We therefore set out to evaluate the incidence of risk for primary glaucoma and its subtypes in a Russian cohort of Mayak Production Association nuclear workers who received chronic radiation exposure over many years.

Glaucoma incidence risk in a cohort of Mayak PA workers occupationally exposed to ionizing radiation.

Glaucoma is a major cause of visual impairment, and secondary glaucoma manifested as neovascular glaucoma has long been known to occur following high-dose fractionated radiation therapy. In contrast, little is known as to whether ionizing radiation exposure causes primary glaucoma, except that a single study in Japanese atomic bomb survivors has reported a significantly increase risk. Therefore, the effect of lower dose and lower dose rate remains unclear.

Risk of cataract removal surgery in Mayak PA workers occupationally exposed to ionizing radiation over prolonged periods.

In this study, the risk of cataract removal surgery was assessed in a cohort of workers occupationally exposed to ionizing radiation over a prolonged period. The study cohort includes 22,377 workers of the Mayak Production Association (about 25% of whom are females) first employed at one of the main facilities in 1948-1982, who were followed up to the end of 2008. Dose estimates used in the study are provided by the Mayak Worker Dosimetry System 2008.

Risk of various types of cataracts in a cohort of Mayak workers following chronic occupational exposure to ionizing radiation.

This study is the first to report cataract type specific risks in a cohort of Russian Mayak Production Association workers following chronic occupational exposure to ionizing radiation. In this retrospective cohort study, 22,377 workers (females 25.4%) first employed in 1948-1982 were followed up till the end of 2008.

Risk of Cataract Incidence in a Cohort of Mayak PA Workers following Chronic Occupational Radiation Exposure.

This is the first study of cataract incidence in a cohort of Mayak Production Association workers first employed at one of the main facilities in 1948-1982 and followed up till the end of 2008 (22,377 workers). Principal advantages of the study are the large size of the cohort, long-term follow-up and sufficient statistical power, available results of annual eye examinations over the entire follow-up period and detailed information on non-radiation confounders. Individual measured doses from external γ-rays and neutrons used in the analyses were provided by the Mayak Worker Dosimetry System 2008 (MWDS-2008).