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Non-subjective cataract analysis and its application in space radiation risk assessmentExperimental animal studies and human observations suggest that the question is not whether or not prolonged space missions will cause cataracts to appear prematurely in the astronauts, but when and to what degree. Historically the major impediment to radiation cataract follow-up has been the necessarily subjective nature of assessing the degree of lens transparency. This has spurred the development of instruments which produce video images amenable to digital analysis. One such system, the Zeiss Scheimpflug slit lamp measuring system (SLC), was incorporated into our ongoing studies of radiation cataractogenesis. It was found that the Zeiss SLC measuring system has high resolution and permits the acquisition of reproducible images of the anterior segment of the eye. Our results, based on about 650 images of the rats lens, and followed over a period of 91 weeks of radiation cataract development, showed that the Integrated Optical Density (IOD) of the lens correlated well with conventional assessment with the added advantages of objectivity, permanent and transportable records and linearity as cataracts become more severe. This continuous data acquisition, commencing with cataract onset, can proceed through more advanced stages. The SLC exhibits much greater sensitivity reflected in a continuously progressive severity despite the artifactual plateaus in staging which occur using conventional scoring methods. Systems such as the Zeiss SLC should be used to monitor astronauts frequent visits to low earth orbit to obtain a longitudinal data-base on the influence of this activity on the lens.
Document ID
19940039076
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
Authors
Wu, B.
(Columbia Univ. New York, NY, U.S.A., United States)
Medvedovsky, C.
(Columbia Univ. New York, NY, U.S.A., United States)
Worgul, B. V.
(Columbia Univ. New York, NY, U.S.A., United States)
Date Acquired
August 16, 2013
Publication Date
October 1, 1994
Publication Information
Publication: Life Sciences and Space Research 25 (2) Radiation Biology: Topical Meeting of the COSPAR Interdisciplinary Scientific Commission F of the COSPAR 29th Plenary Meeting, Washington, DC, Aug. 28-Sep. 5, 1
Volume: 14
Issue: 10
ISSN: 0273-1177
Subject Category
Life Sciences (General)
Accession Number
94A62525
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: EY02648
CONTRACT_GRANT: DE-FG02-90ER61009
CONTRACT_GRANT: NAG-9-256/S2
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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