The use of leaded glasses is recommended for occupational use in medical imaging in order to prevent which of the following conditions?

• A. radiation-induced cancer
• B. radiation-induced blindness
• C. radiation-induced proptosis
• D. radiation-induced cataracts

Answer: (D)

The main idea is that protecting the eye’s lens from ionizing radiation reduces a specific, dose-dependent risk: cataracts. The crystalline lens is unusually sensitive to radiation, and even relatively low, chronic exposures can cause clouding over time. Leaded glasses cut the amount of scatter and direct radiation reaching the lens during medical imaging, which lowers the likelihood of lens damage and cataract formation.

While radiation exposure can increase overall cancer risk and, in severe cases, damage other parts of the eye leading to vision loss, the protective purpose of leaded eyewear is most directly tied to preventing cataracts. Proptosis isn’t a typical consequence of diagnostic imaging radiation, and cataracts are the classic, lens-specific outcome that shielding targets.