Severe atomic bomb cataract. The doughnut-shaped opacity peculiar to radiation-induced cataract is evident in the posterior pole of the crystalline lens (age-associated bracket-shaped opacity is also present in the peripheral portion, woman, 21 years old ATB, exposed on the street 805 meters from the hypocenter, with acute symptoms).
A cataract is an opacity of the crystalline lens associated
withaging, diabetes mellitus, radiation, trauma and other causes.
Atomic bomb cataracts appeared between about three months and ten
years after exposure to the bombing, the progress of visual
disturbance being promoted additionally by aging. The incidence is
higher the shorter the distance from the hypocenter.
(photo courtesy of Dr.Tsugihiko Tokunaga)
