[Lens opacity in mice exposed to helium ions with energy of 4 GeV/nuclon and gamma-irradiation with Co-60].

The cataractogenic effect of helium ions with the energy 4 GeV/nuclon and 60Co gamma-radiation was examined. In response to helium irradiation the cataract incidence and maturation rate was higher than in response to gamma-irradiation at the same doses. The RBE coefficients of helium ions were calculated from the equally effective doses of reference and helium irradiations. They depended on the exposure duration and amounted to 1.2 +/- 0.1, 2.2 +/- 0.1, and 2.6 +/- 0.1 by post-irradiation weeks 20, 30, and 40, respectively.