[Acute ocular lesions after exposure to electromagnetic radiation of ultrahigh frequency (an experimental study)]

To investigate the clinical and morphological manifestations of ocular lesions resulting from acute exposure to microwave radiation (MR).

Twenty-four rabbits were included in the study and divided into four equal groups according to MR exposure time (15, 30, 45, 60 s). The right eyes of rabbits were exposed to MR of 3.97 GHz and energy density of 1.0 W/cm². The sham control group consisted of six animals. The exposed (right) and the paired (left) eye were studied for clinical and morphological changes, content of proinflammatory cytokines IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α in the anterior chamber and in the vitreous body after exposure to MR.

Significant dose-dependent changes in the structure of the exposed eye were revealed. Formation of microwave cataract was noted at the MR exposure time of 15 seconds and more. Partial or complete de-epithelialization, stromal edema, endothelial damage and inflammatory infiltration in the cornea, effusion of protein and cellular reaction in the aqueous humor were detected after MR exposure of 30, 45 and 60 seconds. Cellular reaction in the vitreous body was observed after exposure time of 45 and 60 seconds. Exposure to MR for up to 1 minute did not lead to visible clinical or morphological (traditional methods of examination) damage of the retina and optic nerve within 24 hours. Significantly higher content of proinflammatory cytokines IL-1ß, IL-6 and TNF-α in the aqueous humor and vitreous body was revealed in animals exposed to MR for 45 and 60 seconds.

Acute exposure of the organ of vision to electromagnetic microwave radiation can lead to adverse dose-dependent effects not only in the lens, but also in other structures of the eye.