Assessment of occupational eye lens dose in interventional cardiology suites in Sri Lanka

The research investigates the occupational eye lens dose of interventional cardiologists and examines several methodologies for measuring eye lens doses, including direct methods using Hp(3) dosimeters and indirect methods using surrogate dosimeters. Moreover, the study scrutinizes factors impacting the evaluation of eye lens dose, making a substantial contribution to the field within Sri Lanka.

Twelve interventional cardiologists underwent monitoring for eye lens doses utilizing both direct (Hp(3)) and indirect (Hp(10) and Hp(0.07)) measurements. Annual equivalent occupational eye lens doses were computed for each practitioner, and an analysis was carried out to compare direct and surrogate dosimeter readings, examining over/underestimation. Additionally, the research explored factors influencing eye lens doses among cardiologists.

This study highlighted a critical need for enhanced protective measures, particularly due to the highest annual occupational equivalent eye lens dose recorded at 34 ± 4.1 mSv exceeding the annual dose limit. The study revealed robust correlations (R²=0.99) between direct readings and surrogate dosimeters. However, the indirect measurements marginally underestimated the direct Hp(3) dose values. Factors such as patient Body Mass Index, Air Kerma, Dose Area Product, Fluoroscopy Time, and operator height significantly impacted eye lens dose (p<0.0001). However, years of experience exhibited no significant association with eye lens dose among operators.

This study emphasized the pivotal role in evaluating equivalent eye lens doses for interventional cardiologists in Sri Lanka, along with the viability of indirect measurements in estimating Hp(3) eye lens radiation doses in the absence of dedicated eye dosimeters.