Clinicians regularly performing X-rays or using equipment like C-arms and fluoroscopy during interventional surgery are frequently exposed to radiation. That includes exposure to the lens of the eye, which can lead to adverse health effects if proper eye protection isn’t used.
When is it necessary to use personal protective equipment (PPE), such as lead glasses, to shield the eyes? Read on as we discuss the effects of occupational radiation exposure on the eyes, research on lead glasses, and tips to choose the appropriate PPE for your healthcare staff.
What Happens to Your Eyes During Occupational Radiation Exposure?
One of the biggest reasons why lead glasses are necessary during diagnostic or interventional procedures is the health effects that can occur with continuous radiation exposure to the eyes.
A study published in 2020 found several negative health effects associated with occupational radiation exposure without appropriate eye shielding. The health risks included:
- Cataracts
- Glaucoma
- Optic neuropathy
- Retinopathy
OSHA has established a radiation dose limit of 12.5 mSv per quarter (50 mSv per year) to the whole body, including the lens of the eyes. The ICRP eye dose limits are even lower at 20 mSv per year. Exceeding the occupational radiation exposure limits established by governing bodies increases the risk of experiencing the health effects listed above, so using proper shielding is crucial.
To put it into perspective, AORN states that the average C-arm emits 20 mSv of radiation per minute. Therefore, C-arm radiation exposure during interventional surgery could quickly cause clinicians to exceed dose limits for the eyes and the rest of the body. Fortunately, wearing proper protection like lead glasses, aprons, and thyroid collars reduces radiation doses significantly.
Can Lead Glass Protect from Radiation?
The lead glass in radiation protective eyewear can help clinicians shield the lens of the eye against radiation during procedures. A study from Physica Medica using 0.75 mm lead glasses found an average dose reduction of 1.6 times during procedures, and recommended using some form of protective eyewear to avoid exceeding dose limits established by the ICRP.
Who Should Wear Lead Glasses?
Several studies have shown that wearing lead protective glasses should be an essential safety measure across several different types of interventional and diagnostic procedures.
A study performed by The Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery found that wearing lead glasses significantly reduced radiation doses to surgeons’ eyes during the acquisition of fluoroscopic views of the hip and pelvis in interventional procedures. The study found that lead glasses reduced the radiation dose to the lens of the eye by 90%.
A more recent study from the Journal of Medical Imaging and Radiation Sciences, published in March of 2025, recommended using lead glasses for all interventional procedures using fluoroscopy. Specifically, researchers recommended lead glasses of 0.5 mm in lead equivalence or higher since they achieve the highest average dose reduction across procedures.
Research from the Journal of Interventional Radiology also recommended that clinicians use lead glasses of at least 0.5 mm in lead equivalence during routine X-rays, since even regular low-dose exposure can have effects on the eyes.
What Is the Minimum Lead Equivalent for Glasses?
Most research recommends that diagnostic or interventional radiology eye protection should be 0.5-0.75 mm in lead equivalence to achieve the best results.
The study mentioned earlier from the Journal of Interventional Radiology showed significant dose reductions during low-dose X-rays using 0.5 mm lead glasses.
Conversely, more intensive procedures may benefit from thicker 0.75 mm lead glasses for additional protection. For example, a study from Spine found significant dose reductions using 0.75 mm lead glasses during minimally invasive spine surgery.
Do You Need Side Shields or Wraparound X-Ray Protective Eyewear?
The study mentioned above from Spine assessed three different types of lead glasses during minimally invasive spine surgery:
- Traditional lead glasses without side shields
- Lead glasses with side shields
- Wraparound lead glasses
The results showed that each type of lead glasses successfully reduced radiation doses to the eyes, so wearing any type of protection is a good idea and better than not wearing shielding at all.
However, certain angles during procedures influenced which type of glasses was best. For example, when clinicians had their heads to the side of the radiation beam, side shields helped reduce radiation doses more than glasses without them.
Therefore, it’s important to review different options and procedural needs with your facility’s radiation safety officer (RSO) to determine which type of glasses is the ideal fit for each operation.
How Do You Choose Radiation Safety Glasses That You’ll Actually Wear All Day?
Clinicians may have to wear lead glasses for hours at a time during procedures, so it’s important to balance comfort and effectiveness to ensure they continue wearing them whenever necessary.
Fortunately, top manufacturers offer lead glasses in several different styles and with different features that enhance comfort. Examples of features you can choose from include:
- Adding the clinician’s prescription so they don’t have to wear lead glasses over other corrective lenses
- Lightweight frames to reduce fatigue
- Adjustable nose pads
- Padded temples
Additionally, it’s important to ensure glasses fit snugly around the head so they don’t slide, yet still feel comfortable for extended use. Choosing the right size is key.
Facilities will want to work with their RSO to discuss different options and find the right balance for their staff’s needs.
How We Help at RCS
Our team at RadCare Services (RCS) can help when you need to source or maintain lead glasses for your facility.
We work with leading manufacturers to help you procure the right options for your procedures, tag and inspect all new garments, and ensure they’re safely delivered to your facility ready for use.
We also provide maintenance options for several types of lead protective garments used in radiology, including lead aprons, vests, skirts, thyroid collars, and glasses. Our maintenance services include:
- Deep cleaning and disinfection to remove harmful contaminants that can build up in healthcare settings
- Inspections using X-ray scanning to identify damage or defects early
- Garment repairs to fix any damage identified
- Garment disposal following EPA regulations established for safe lead disposal
- Inventory management with our RadComply® software to track maintenance data
Get in touch with us today to learn more about our services and how we can help.
