The effects of microwave radiation on rabbit's retina.

Journal of current ophthalmology · 2018 · Mixed · Low evidence

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MixedLow evidencePaper 6600

Study snapshot

PublicationJournal of current ophthalmology · 2018

Study typeanimal

Reported directionMixed

Evidence ratingLow

Abstract

PURPOSE: Mobile cell phones are used extensively these days, and their microwave (MW) radiation has been shown to affect the eye. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the effects of MW radiation on rabbit retina. METHODS: This experimental study (concluded in 2015) was conducted on 40 adult white New Zealand rabbits. A Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) cell phone simulator was used for MW irradiation. The rabbits were randomized into five groups (8 in each) and treated as follows: Group 1: no irradiation (sham); Group 2: irradiation at 10 cm for 1 day; Group 3: irradiation at 30 cm for 1 day; Group 4: irradiation at 10 cm for 3 days; and Group 5: irradiation at 30 cm for 3 days. Scotopic and photopic electroretinography (ERG) responses were obtained at baseline and 7 days after the last exposure. Then all the rabbits were euthanized, and their eyes were enucleated and sent for pathology examination. Kruskal-Wallis and Chi-Square tests were used to evaluate intergroup differences in ERG parameters and histological findings, respectively. RESULTS: ERG responses obtained 7 days after irradiation did not show any statistically significant difference between the groups ( > 0.1, for all tested parameters). There were statistically non-significant trends toward greater changes in the MW irradiated eyes. In pathological examination, retina was normal with no sign of degeneration or infiltration. Ciliary body congestion was observed in greater fraction of those who received higher MW doses. ( = 0.005). CONCLUSIONS: Histopathologically, cell phone simulated MW irradiation had no significant detrimental effect on the retina. However, ciliary body congestion was observed in greater fraction of those who received higher MW doses. Although there was no significant difference between post-treatment mean ERG values, there were statistically non-significant trends toward greater changes in the MW irradiated eyes.

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AI evidence extraction

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Study typeanimal

Effect directionmixed

PopulationAdult white New Zealand rabbits

Sample size40

ExposureRF · 1 day or 3 days (exposure groups); outcomes assessed 7 days after last exposure

Evidence strengthLowConfidence: 78% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

ERG responses measured 7 days after exposure showed no statistically significant differences between groups for any tested parameters (p>0.1), though non-significant trends toward greater changes were noted in irradiated eyes. Retinal pathology was reported as normal with no degeneration or infiltration. Ciliary body congestion was observed more frequently in rabbits receiving higher microwave doses (p=0.005).

Outcomes measured

Scotopic electroretinography (ERG) parameters
Photopic electroretinography (ERG) parameters
Retinal histopathology (degeneration/infiltration)
Ciliary body congestion (pathology)

Limitations

Frequency and SAR/exposure intensity not reported in abstract
Exposure regimen details beyond distance (10 cm vs 30 cm) and days not provided
Outcomes assessed only at a single follow-up time point (7 days after last exposure)

View raw extracted JSON

{
  "study_type": "animal",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "RF",
    "source": "mobile phone",
    "frequency_mhz": null,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": "1 day or 3 days (exposure groups); outcomes assessed 7 days after last exposure"
  },
  "population": "Adult white New Zealand rabbits",
  "sample_size": 40,
  "outcomes": [
    "Scotopic electroretinography (ERG) parameters",
    "Photopic electroretinography (ERG) parameters",
    "Retinal histopathology (degeneration/infiltration)",
    "Ciliary body congestion (pathology)"
  ],
  "main_findings": "ERG responses measured 7 days after exposure showed no statistically significant differences between groups for any tested parameters (p>0.1), though non-significant trends toward greater changes were noted in irradiated eyes. Retinal pathology was reported as normal with no degeneration or infiltration. Ciliary body congestion was observed more frequently in rabbits receiving higher microwave doses (p=0.005).",
  "effect_direction": "mixed",
  "limitations": [
    "Frequency and SAR/exposure intensity not reported in abstract",
    "Exposure regimen details beyond distance (10 cm vs 30 cm) and days not provided",
    "Outcomes assessed only at a single follow-up time point (7 days after last exposure)"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "low",
  "confidence": 0.78,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "microwave radiation",
    "GSM",
    "cell phone simulator",
    "rabbit",
    "retina",
    "electroretinography",
    "histopathology",
    "ciliary body congestion"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": [
    {
      "slug": "mobile-phones",
      "weight": 0.9,
      "reason": "Uses a GSM cell phone simulator to expose animals to mobile-phone-like microwave/RF radiation."
    }
  ]
}

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AI-extracted fields are generated from the abstract and metadata and may be incomplete or incorrect. This material is for informational purposes and is not medical advice.

Identifiers and source

DOI: 10.1016/j.joco.2017.08.010
PubMed: 29564413

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