Retinal damage experimentally induced by microwave radiation at 55 mW/cm2.

Abstract

The action of 550 W/m2 (mean) 3100 MHz pulsed radiation on the rabbit retina in vivo was investigated by fundus photography, blood-retinal barrier tracers, light and electron microscopy, either after a single 1--1.5 h exposure or after a series of repeated 1 h exposures for up to 53 h during about 100 days. The electron microscopic investigation of the repeatedly exposed retinas revealed degenerative changes in the retinal neurons. The neurons appeared depleted of their cytoplasmic constituents and often contained phago-lysosomal structures with myelin bodies. There were many degenerating synaptic boutons. The glial cells displayed reactive changes. These ultrastructural changes could not be demonstrated by the other methods used. A single microwave exposure, followed by an induced 70--100% blood-pressure increase, did not enhance blood-retina barrier permeability to tracers. There was no evidence of blood brain barrier leakage. These studies show that the rabbit eye can be affected by microwave radiation at intensities lower than previously reported.

AI evidence extraction

Main findings

Repeated exposures to 3100 MHz pulsed radiation were associated with degenerative ultrastructural changes in retinal neurons and reactive changes in glial cells detectable by electron microscopy. A single exposure combined with induced 70–100% blood-pressure increase did not enhance blood-retinal barrier permeability to tracers, and there was no evidence of blood-brain barrier leakage.

Outcomes measured

• Retinal ultrastructural/degenerative changes (electron microscopy)
• Glial reactive changes
• Blood-retinal barrier permeability to tracers
• Blood-brain barrier leakage (evidence of leakage)

Limitations

• Sample size not reported in abstract
• Exposure metric reported as power density; SAR not provided
• Ultrastructural changes were detectable only by electron microscopy; other methods did not demonstrate these changes
• Details of exposure parameters beyond frequency, pulsing, intensity, and duration are not provided in abstract

{
    "study_type": "animal",
    "exposure": {
        "band": "microwave",
        "source": null,
        "frequency_mhz": 3100,
        "sar_wkg": null,
        "duration": "Single 1–1.5 h exposure or repeated 1 h exposures up to 53 h over ~100 days"
    },
    "population": "Rabbits (in vivo retina)",
    "sample_size": null,
    "outcomes": [
        "Retinal ultrastructural/degenerative changes (electron microscopy)",
        "Glial reactive changes",
        "Blood-retinal barrier permeability to tracers",
        "Blood-brain barrier leakage (evidence of leakage)"
    ],
    "main_findings": "Repeated exposures to 3100 MHz pulsed radiation were associated with degenerative ultrastructural changes in retinal neurons and reactive changes in glial cells detectable by electron microscopy. A single exposure combined with induced 70–100% blood-pressure increase did not enhance blood-retinal barrier permeability to tracers, and there was no evidence of blood-brain barrier leakage.",
    "effect_direction": "mixed",
    "limitations": [
        "Sample size not reported in abstract",
        "Exposure metric reported as power density; SAR not provided",
        "Ultrastructural changes were detectable only by electron microscopy; other methods did not demonstrate these changes",
        "Details of exposure parameters beyond frequency, pulsing, intensity, and duration are not provided in abstract"
    ],
    "evidence_strength": "low",
    "confidence": 0.7399999999999999911182158029987476766109466552734375,
    "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
    "keywords": [
        "microwave radiation",
        "3100 MHz",
        "pulsed radiation",
        "rabbit",
        "retina",
        "electron microscopy",
        "degeneration",
        "blood-retinal barrier",
        "blood-brain barrier",
        "power density 550 W/m2 (55 mW/cm2)"
    ],
    "suggested_hubs": []
}

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