Study type: Medical/biological study (experimental study)

Localized effects of microwave radiation on the intact eye lens in culture conditions med./bio.

By: Dovrat A, Berenson R, Bormusov E, Lahav A, Lustman T, Sharon N, Schachter L
Published in: Bioelectromagnetics 2005; 26 (5): 398-405
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Aim of study (acc. to author)

A novel experimental system was used to study the localized effects of microwave irradiation on eye lenses in culture for over 2 weeks. The purpose of the study was to focus on effects that are not caused by global temperature increase (temperature is maintained constant at 35°C).

Endpoint

Exposure

Exposure Parameters
Exposure 1: 1.1 GHz
Modulation type: CW
Exposure duration: intermittent, 50 min on/10 min off, for 8 days (192 cycles)

Exposure 1

Main characteristics
Frequency 1.1 GHz
Type
Charakteristic
  • guided field
Exposure duration intermittent, 50 min on/10 min off, for 8 days (192 cycles)
Modulation
Modulation type CW
Exposure setup
Exposure source
Chamber The exposure system consisting of four transmission lines was placed in an incubator maintained at 35°C.
Setup Each lens was placed in a vessel and completely immersed in tissue culture medium. The vessel was inserted between the two metallic plates forming the transmission line that were of the same width as their separation. The medium filled the vessel up to the height of the plates. The configuration was designed to maximize both the uniformity and the intensity of the field in the lens region (11-12 mm height and 15-16 mm diameter).
Additional info Four lenses were exposed simultaneously while four control lenses were kept in another incubator at the same temperature for the same period of time without any exposure to MW radiation.
Parameters
Measurand Value Type Method Mass Remarks
power 2.2 mW - measured - -
power density 0.1 kW/m² - measured - -
SAR 1.4 W/kg maximum determined by power loss - -
Measurement and calculation details

The power at the termination of the transmission line was measured (1) with the vessel in place filled with medium but without the lens, and (2) with a metallic coin of the size of a lens placed at the exact location of the lens. The difference is the upper limit of what the lens may absorb. Calibration with the lens in place was performed, too.

Exposed system:

Methods Endpoint/measurement parameters/methodology

Investigated system:
Investigated organ system:
Time of investigation:
  • during exposure
  • after exposure

Main outcome of study (acc. to author)

The authors found clear evidence that this irradiation has a significant impact on the eye lens. At the macroscopic level, it is revealed that exposure to a few mW at 1 GHz for over 36 h affects the optical function of the lens. Self-recovery occurs if the irradiation is interrupted.
At the microscopic level, close examination of the lens indicates that the interaction mechanism is completely different from the mechanism-causing cataract via temperature increase. Even if macroscopically the lens has recovered from the exposure, microscopically the indicators of irradiation impact remain.

Study character:

Study funded by

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