Impact of Physician Height and Experience on Eye Lens Dose in Interventional Cardiology: An Initial Study

In 2011, the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) recommended reducing the annual equivalent dose limit to the eye lens. This study investigated the effects of physician height and years of experience on lens radiation exposure in a clinical setting. The lens dose was measured using the DOSIRIS dosimeter, which quantified Hp(3) while accounting for the shielding effect of lead glasses, and a neck dosimeter for Hp(0.07). A significant negative correlation was found between physician height and both Hp(0.07) (R = −0.642) and Hp(3) (R = −0.728), suggesting that taller physicians received lower lens doses because of their greater distance from the scatter source. A positive correlation was observed between years of experience and Hp(0.07) (R = 0.650). Two-group comparisons showed that physicians shorter than 170 cm had a 2.77-fold higher median Hp(3) than those ≥170 cm (p < 0.05). As experienced physicians may be exposed to higher radiation levels, regular review of protective practices and continued radiation safety education are essential, regardless of clinical experience. This is the first clinical study to simultaneously evaluate the effects of physician height and experience on lens dose in interventional cardiology. Regular review of protective practices remains essential regardless of operator height or experience.