Leaded glasses in occupational imaging are recommended to prevent which condition?

• A. Radiation-induced cataracts
• B. Skin burns
• C. Hair loss
• D. Nausea

Answer: (A)

The eye lens is extremely sensitive to ionizing radiation, and cataracts can develop from cumulative exposure over time. In occupational imaging, most exposure to the eyes comes from scattered radiation during procedures. Leaded glasses with sufficient shielding attenuate those scattered photons before they reach the lens, lowering the dose the eye receives and reducing the risk of cataract formation. The other effects listed—skin burns, hair loss, and nausea—occur at much higher doses or with whole-body exposure, not from typical eye exposure in radiography. So leaded glasses are recommended specifically to prevent radiation-induced cataracts.