Lenticular and Retinal Changes Secondary to Microwave Exposure

The cataractogenic effect of exposure to microwaves has been reported by several authors. Effects on the central nervous system also have been discussed. Whether the effect is thermal in origin or nonthermal is not known. In this paper the authors show that in a factory where radar‐and other microwave equipment was tested, an overrepresentation of lens opacities could be observed in personnel in the lower age groups. Furthermore, it was noted that changes in the retina resembling chorioretinal scars were present in a significant number of workers.