A cost-effective way to reduce the equivalent eye lens dose fromYttrium-90 radiopharmaceuticals.

Purpose: We analyzed the effect of the use of Eye Protective Equipment (EPE) and the best position to use individual dosimeters to estimate the eye lens radiation dose to a medical staff that works with yttrium-90.

Methods: Three Alderson-Head-Phantoms were exposed to 58MBq of Y for 24h, in two different experiments: (1) at different dosimeter placements and (2) with and without the use of EPE. The measurements were carried on by thermoluminescent technique.

Results: Doses received by dosimeters on both lenses were more closely represented by the ones placed between the eyes than those on the temples, which underestimated the doses by a factor of 3. Also, the transmission factors showed that the EPE was able to reduce the H(3) values from about 78% to 92%.

Conclusions: This study demonstrated that the use of EPE can optimize the Y eye lens dose. An individual dosimeter should be worn between the eyes for an appropriate estimate of this equivalent dose.