Radiation cataracts in the light of current research achievements in ophthalmology (review)

Cataract is the most common cause of visual loss in people. The main reasons for its development are involutional changes and the impact of the laser and ionizing radiation. Clinic and age-related factors of cataract are well understood at present. Data on the incidence of radiation cataract is practically not represented in the scientific literature. There is no consensus on the levels of the absorption doses of ionizing radiation with cataractogenic action. The question of radiation cataract development mechanisms is still up to date, as well as the question of the degree of direct influence of ionizing radiation, of the lens of the human eye, the importance of stimulating radiation involution processes. The number of medical interventions under the X-ray control increases every year. The number of health care workers exposed to occupational radiation increases, the issues of radiation cataracts in this category have been little studied. Currently many ways of modern diagnosis of cataract in the early stages with the use of high-tech equipment are offered. However, they are not applied for the examination of people at risk of radiation cataract. Their use, in our opinion, could clarify many of the controversial issues in the etiology and early diagnosis of radiation cataracts.