Atom Bomb Cataracts

Abstract
Ten cases of cataract which seem to have been caused by exposure to the atom bomb blasts at Hiroshima and Nagasaki are descr. Of the 10 subjects, 7 were males and 3 females, ages at time of exposure varied from 13 to 55 yrs., all were within 550-950 m. of the hypocenter of the explosion, all were in the open or shielded by wooden structures at time of explosion, all had epilation of the head after a latent period of 1-4 wks. with complete baldness lasting 3-7 mos., and all had normal vision at time of explosion. The only ocular complaint of the subjects was failing vision, latent period varying from 6 to 30 mos. The cataracts consisted of opacities in the axial zone of the posterior lenticular capsules over an area of 2-4 sq. mm., with occasional punctate dots farther toward the periphery; the findings were approx. symmetrical in the 2 eyes. Detailed nature of the cataracts is descr.