Roberts, 1985 (microwave eye damage)


Roberts, 1985

Title: Epidemiological studies of human exposures to radiofrequency radiation. A critical review.

Authors: Roberts NJ, Michaelson SM

Journal: Int Arch Occup Environ Health 1985;56(3):169-78

PMID: 3905624

Affiliated institution: Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, University of Chicago, Illinois.

Cited in:

Microwave hair removal is not cleared by FDA for use on the head or near the eyes. Medical literature has shown that microwave radiation taken in concentrated doses to the eyes can cause cataracts and other damage.

The health effects to exposure to radiofrequency radiation (RFR) remain undefined and controversial. Epidemiological studies of human exposures to RFR are confounded by difficulties in determining the type and true extent of exposures, in selecting an appropriate control group for comparisons, in determining the existence and influence of many concomitant environmental factors, and in establishing the presence or measuring the frequency or severity of subjective complaints was well as objective findings in the studied populations. This paper reviews reported RFR effects on general health, growth and development, physiological systems such as the cardiovascular and nervous systems, and organs such as the eye. Criteria for reliable epidemiological studies are presented to allow critical analysis of such reports.