Sugihara Kazunobu, Kaidzu Sachiko, Sasaki Masahiro, Ichioka Sho, Sano Ichiya, Hara Katsunori, Tanito Masaki
Department of Ophthalmology, Shimane University Faculty of Medicine, Izumo, Japan.
Ushio Inc., Tokyo, Japan.
Photochem Photobiol. 2024 Dec 10. doi: 10.1111/php.14052.
The ocular safety of 222-nm far-ultraviolet-C (UV-C) irradiation, widely recognized for its germicidal properties, was evaluated in a clinical setting to assess its long-term health effects on the human eye. This prospective observational study involved a 36-month follow-up of physicians working in an ophthalmic examination room equipped with 222-nm UV-C lamps. Initially, a 12-month observation showed no signs of acute or chronic ocular damage. To further substantiate these findings, the study period was extended to 36 months, during which four participants underwent regular ocular examinations, including assessments of visual acuity, refractive error, and corneal endothelial cell density. The irradiation dose was meticulously controlled to remain within the previous threshold limit of 22 mJ/cm over an 8-h period, as advised by the ACGIH prior to 2022. Results indicated no significant changes in these parameters, suggesting no clinically significant ocular hazards associated with prolonged exposure to 222-nm UV-C irradiation under real-world conditions. Additionally, no delayed side effects, such as pterygium, keratopathies, or cataracts, were observed. Our study supports the safe use of 222-nm UV-C for microbial disinfection in occupied environments and provides a robust foundation for updated safety guidelines.
222纳米远紫外线C（UV-C）辐射因其杀菌特性而广为人知，其眼部安全性在临床环境中进行了评估，以评估其对人眼的长期健康影响。这项前瞻性观察研究对在配备222纳米UV-C灯的眼科检查室工作的医生进行了36个月的随访。最初，为期12个月的观察未发现急性或慢性眼部损伤迹象。为了进一步证实这些发现，研究期延长至36个月，在此期间，四名参与者接受了定期眼部检查，包括视力、屈光不正和角膜内皮细胞密度评估。如美国政府工业卫生学家会议（ACGIH）在2022年之前所建议的，辐射剂量经过精心控制，在8小时内保持在前阈值22 mJ/cm²以内。结果表明这些参数没有显著变化，这表明在实际条件下，长时间暴露于222纳米UV-C辐射不会产生临床上显著的眼部危害。此外，未观察到翼状胬肉、角膜病变或白内障等延迟性副作用。我们的研究支持在有人环境中安全使用222纳米UV-C进行微生物消毒，并为更新安全指南提供了有力依据。
