X-rays and eyes

[#1rnstudent]

The other day I was talking with a resident and he mentioned eye protection that is radiation resistant (x-rays). I had never heard of this, nor thought about it, until then. But it made sense to me. I spend a lot of time in ortho where C-arms are used most of the case, if not most of the day. I cover my neck down to my knees with the lead that the hospital supplies. What about my eyes? I found some glasses online that are lead-based and are supposed to protect one's eyes from the x-rays. If I have another 30 years or so to spend working in the OR, which I love, then do you think it is worth investing a few hundred bucks in a pair of x-ray resistant glasses? How long do you think the glasses would last before becoming unable to protect my eyes from the rays?

[mcmike55]

If I remember correctly, long, close exposure to x-ray does put you at risk for early cataract developement.

But I've always thought that was for those working in x-ray and cath lab. I've heard of lead glasses, but never seen them, not in the OR anyway.

Some x-ray docs, years ago, used to have lead gloves to protect their hands close to the beam. We even had sterile lead gloves when we were doing x-ray guided pain clinic procedures in the OR.

Again, I'm not sure, but aprons and thyroid shields are all the basic protection needed.

Remember, it's exposure duration and proximity that are key factors. As a circulator, I'm rarely that close to the field during an x-ray procedure.

Mike

[#1rnstudent]

Thanks Mike! :)

I scrub and circulate. It depends on how many residents there are, sometimes I am close to the beam, sometimes I am not. I just worry that my eyes are like the windows to my brain. I need them. I cover myself from neck to knees, but I wonder about my eyes. Will talk to our product rep and see what they have and maybe still get myself a pair.