NASA Logo

NTRS

NTRS - NASA Technical Reports Server

Back to Results
Historical Study of Radiation Exposures and the Incidence of Cataracts in AstronautsFor over 35 years, astronauts in low Earth orbit or on missions to the moon have been exposed to space radiation comprised of high-energy protons, heavy ions, and secondary neutrons. We reviewed the radiation exposures received by astronauts in space and on Earth, and presented results from the first epidemiological study of cataract incidence in the astronauts. Our data suggested an increased risk for cataracts from space radiation exposures*. Using parametric survival analysis and the maximum likelihood method, we estimated the dose-response and age distribution for cataract incidence in astronauts by space radiation. Considering the high-LET dose contributions on specific space missions as well as data from animal studies with neutrons and heavy ions, suggested a linear response with no dose-threshold for cataracts. However, there are unanswered questions related to the importance and the definition of "clinically significant" cataracts commonly used in radiation protection, especially in light of epidemiological data suggesting that the probability that "sub-clinical" cataracts will progress is highly dependent on the age at which cataracts appear. We briefly describe a new study that will address the measurement of cataract progression-rates in astronauts and a ground-based comparison group.
Document ID
20060023308
Acquisition Source
Johnson Space Center
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Cucinotta, F. A.
(NASA Johnson Space Center Houston, TX, United States)
Manuel, F. K.
(NASA Johnson Space Center Houston, TX, United States)
Iszard, G.
(NASA Johnson Space Center Houston, TX, United States)
Feiveson, A.
(Baylor Coll. of Medicine Houston, TX, United States)
Peterson, L. E.
(Baylor Coll. of Medicine Houston, TX, United States)
Hardy, D.
(Baylor Coll. of Medicine Houston, TX, United States)
Marak, L.
(NASA Johnson Space Center Houston, TX, United States)
Tung, W.
(Harvard Medical School Boston, MA, United States)
Wear, M.
(NASA Johnson Space Center Houston, TX, United States)
Chylack, L. T., Jr.
(Harvard Medical School Boston, MA, United States)
Date Acquired
August 23, 2013
Publication Date
January 1, 2004
Subject Category
Space Radiation
Meeting Information
Meeting: ISOT
Location: Fort Worth, TX
Country: United States
Start Date: October 19, 2004
End Date: October 20, 2004
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

Available Downloads

There are no available downloads for this record.
No Preview Available