Protective eyewear selection for interventional fluoroscopy.

Three protective eyewear models were evaluated to determine effectiveness in reducing radiation dose to a fluoroscopist's eyes. The performance of the protective eyewear was measured using radiation dosimeters in a fluoroscopy suite. An Eyewear Protection Factor was determined for each model in each of three exposure orientations. The protection was strongly influenced by the location of the radiation source. When the source was in front of the fluoroscopist, the lead equivalence was important. When the source was to the side of the fluoroscopist, the cross section of the side shield had a significant influence on protection. Protective eyewear selection needs to include consideration of job task and head orientation to the radiation source as well as the possibility that face shape and eyewear fit may also impact the radiation dose to the eye.