Results of Clinical Surveys for Microwave Ocular Effects
Colonel Budd Appleton · 1973
A 1973 survey of about 1,000 military personnel found no statistically significant differences in ocular findings between those occupationally exposed to microwaves and controls.
Plain English Summary
This 1973 report by Colonel Budd Appleton described clinical surveys of military personnel working with radar equipment, conducted to determine whether microwave exposure causes ocular effects. About 1,000 individuals were examined at multiple military locations, and exposed and control groups were compared on opacities, vacuoles, and posterior subcapsular iridescence. The preliminary results showed no statistically significant differences in ocular findings between exposed and control populations.
Why This Matters
This report is a preliminary null result: no statistically significant differences in occurrence of opacities, vacuoles, and posterior subcapsular iridescence between exposed and control populations. In older age groups (60-69), some differences were observed but they were not statistically significant. Almost 90% of individuals in both the exposed and control groups showed opacities when different diagnostic criteria were used, which is why the authors emphasize standardized diagnostic criteria and examiner calibration. The authors also say they are not happy with their current sample size and would like several thousand individuals before drawing definitive conclusions.
Finding
The energy that we will talk about today (microwave) has been defined several different ways. So that we are all off on the same foot, I would like to stop for a moment and call your attention to the electromagnetic spectrum, figure 1.
In their words
“The energy that we will talk about today (microwave) has been defined several different ways. So that we are all off on the same foot, I would like to stop for a moment and call your attention to the electromagnetic spectrum, figure 1.”
Figures from the Original Paper
Diagram extracted from the original research document.
Study Details
To determine if there are ocular effects from microwave exposure in military personnel working with radar equipment
Clinical surveys of military personnel exposed to microwaves at Fort Monmouth, White Sands Missile R...
Study examined approximately 1,000 individuals across multiple military locations. Data showed no st...
Preliminary results indicate no statistically significant differences in ocular findings between populations occupationally exposed to microwaves and controls. The study emphasizes the need for standardized diagnostic criteria and examiner calibration. The authors note that they are not happy with their current sample size and would like several thousand individuals before drawing definitive conclusions.
Show BibTeX
@article{results_of_clinical_surveys_for_microwave_ocular_effects_g5843,
author = {Colonel Budd Appleton},
title = {Results of Clinical Surveys for Microwave Ocular Effects},
year = {1973},
}