The DOI matches its Crossref record; 36 of the 36 references it cites were found in a registry or an index.
Space Radiation and Cataracts in Astronauts
Abstract
For over 30 years, astronauts in Earth orbit or on missions to the moon have been exposed to space radiation comprised of high-energy protons and heavy ions and secondary particles produced in collisions with spacecraft and tissue. Large uncertainties exist in the projection of risks of late effects from space radiation such as cancer and cataracts due to the paucity [corrected] of epidemiological data. Here we present epidemiological [corrected] data linking an increased risk of cataracts for astronauts with higher lens doses (>8 mSv) of space radiation relative to other astronauts with lower lens doses (<8 mSv). Our study uses historical data for cataract incidence in the 295 astronauts participating in NASA's Longitudinal Study of Astronaut Health (LSAH) and individual occupational radiation exposure data. These results, while preliminary because of the use of subjective scoring methods, suggest that relatively low doses of space radiation may predispose crew to [corrected] an increased incidence and early appearance of cataracts.
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“Also, earlier or more frequent cataract formation was observed in astronauts on higher inclination LEO missions30.”
From Towards sustainable human space exploration—priorities for radiation research to quantify and mitigate radiation risks (2023) · cites this paper as [30]
In the citing paper
“Also, the results of low GCR dose studies of cataract in astronauts (Cucinotta et al., 2001;Chylack et al., 2009) suggest vision impairing opacities cannot be excluded from occurring within a long mission (> 1 year) at higher lens GCR doses than past Apollo, Skylab and STS missions.”
From A proposed change to astronaut exposures limits is a giant leap backwards for radiation protection (2021) · cites this paper as Cucinotta et al., 2001
Citations
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Stewart, F. A., Akleyev, A. V., Hauer-Jensen, M., Hendry, J. H., Kleiman, N. J., MacVittie, T. J., Aleman, B. M., Edgar, A. B., Mabuchi, K., Muirhead, C. R., et al. (2012) · Annals of the ICRP · doi:10.1016/j.icrp.2012.02.001 · Cited by 1,604
Cucinotta, F. A., & Durante, M. (2006) · The Lancet Oncology · doi:10.1016/s1470-2045(06)70695-7 · Cited by 695
Self-citationPhysical basis of radiation protection in space travel
Durante, M., & Cucinotta, F. A. (2011) · Reviews of Modern Physics · doi:10.1103/revmodphys.83.1245 · Cited by 528
Self-citationValentin, J. (2003) · Annals of the ICRP · doi:10.1016/s0146-6453(03)00024-1 · Cited by 521
Chodick, G., Bekiroğlu, N., Hauptmann, M., Alexander, B. H., Freedman, D. M., Doody, M. M., Cheung, L. C., Simon, S. L., Weinstock, R. M., Bouville, A. C., et al. (2008) · American Journal of Epidemiology · doi:10.1093/aje/kwn171 · Cited by 408
Metadata
- Authors
- Cucinotta, F. A., Manuel, F. K., Jones, J., Iszard, G., Murrey, J., Djojonegro, B., & Wear, M.
- Affiliations
- Johnson Space Center (US)
- Kelsey-Seybold Clinic (US)
- Corresponding author
- Cucinotta, F. A.
- Venue
- Radiation Research
- Publisher
- Radiation Research Society
- Published
- 2001-11
- Volume
- 156
- Issue
- 5
- Pages
- 460-466
- ISSN
- 0033-7587 (ISSN-L)
- 1938-5404
- OpenAlex
- W2150738279
- Cited by
- 391
- References
- 36
- Citations by year
- 2026: 5 · 2025: 17 · 2024: 19 · 2023: 19 · 2022: 11 · 2021: 21 · 2020: 16 · 2019: 22 · 2018: 25 · 2017: 16 · 2016: 17 · 2015: 18 · 2014: 17 · 2013: 17 · 2012: 17
- FWCI
- 7.98
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Radiation Research (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- BioOne Complete (BioOne) (submittedVersion)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Radiology, Nuclear Medicine and Imaging › Effects of Radiation Exposure
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Physiology (medical) › Spaceflight effects on biology
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Ophthalmology › Ocular and Laser Science Research
- Keywords
- space radiation, cataract, astronauts, lens dose, occupational radiation exposure, heavy ions, protons, secondary particles, low-dose radiation effects
- MeSH terms
- Aged, Cataract, Humans, Lens, Crystalline, Longitudinal Studies, Middle Aged, Occupational Diseases, Space Flight, Astronauts, Linear Energy Transfer
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- The paper
- Cucinotta, F. A., Manuel, F. K., Jones, J., Iszard, G., Murrey, J., Djojonegro, B., & Wear, M. (2001). Space Radiation and Cataracts in Astronauts. Radiation Research. https://doi.org/10.1667/0033-7587(2001)156%5B0460%3Asracia%5D2.0.co%3B2
