Microwave cataract and litigation: a case study.

This paper gives details of a recent court case conducted in Australia concerning a compensation claim made by a radar technician for subcapsular posterior cataracts allegedly caused by exposure to microwave radiation. A discussion of some relevant material, including the likely invalidation of certain in vivo ocular exposures due to the use of a metallic cannula and the relevance of in vitro exposures of rat lenses, are presented. The key findings of the court are also summarized. The ruling of the court was that it was probable that the level of microwave exposure did not cause, or accelerate the development of, the cataracts or contribute to doing so. Consequently, the claim was dismissed.