The effect of beta irradiation on monkey Tenon's capsule fibroblasts in tissue culture

Fibroblast proliferation with subsequent bleb scarring is a major cause of filtering surgery failure. To investigate possible antiproliferative effects of beta radiation, owl monkey Tenon's capsule fibroblasts in tissue culture were irradiated to doses of 30, 100, 300, 1,000, and 3,000 rads with a linear accelerator and to doses of 95,285, and 950 rads with a Strontium-90 applicator. The irradiated cell proliferation expressed as the percentage of the non-irradiated control growth on the third and seventh days, respectively, after beta irradiation was: 97% and 96% after 30 rads; 72% and 90% after 100 rads; 48% and 44% after 300 rads; 39% and 14% after 1,000 rads; and 39% and 14% after 3,000 rads. Similar effects on cell proliferation were observed with the Strontium-90 applicator. The inhibitory effect of beta irradiation on fibroblast proliferation in tissue culture suggests that beta irradiation after filtering surgery may reduce postoperative bleb scarring.