Chairun Nisa, Wahdini Hanifah, Livia Ade Nansih, M.Biomed, Cicillia Artitin, Ananta Della Fitria

Measurement of Radiation Dose Received by the Eye Lens in Panoramic Examination Using a Thermoluminisence Dosimeter (TLD) in the Radiology Installation of Andalas University Hospital

Introduction

Measurement of radiation dose received by the eye lens in panoramic examination using a thermoluminisence dosimeter (tld) in the radiology installation of andalas university hospital. Study measures eye lens radiation dose during panoramic dental exams using TLD at Andalas University Hospital. Doses are within BAPETEN's safe limits, preventing cataracts.

Abstract

A panoramic examination is an examination used to show the upper and lower jaws along with abnormalities in the oral area. The lens of the eye is a sensitive organ that is exposed to radiation during a panoramic examination. The lens of the eye that is exposed to radiation for a long time can cause cataracts that can develop to blindness, therefore to prevent cataracts, BAPETEN No. 6 of 2010 sets a deterministic threshold limit for the chance of cataracts at 15 mSv per year. This study aims to determine how much dose the lens of the eye receives during a panoramic examination and whether the dose received exceeds the established NBD. This type of research is an experimental quantitative study conducted at the Radiology Installation of Andalas University Hospital in September 2025 using a sample of 7 patients. The instruments and materials used are a panoramic machine, TLD and plaster isolation. Dose measurement is done by attaching the TLD to the patient's right and left eyelids then exposed using 73 kV, 10 mA and 10.8 s and then the TLD reading process is carried out. The measurement results obtained in nC units with the final result in the form of an effective dose compared with BAPETEN regulation No. 6 of 2010. The highest effective dose measurement result received by patient 2 was 0.13 mSv and the lowest in patient 1 was 0.095 mSv with an average dose received by all patients of 0.11 mSv. Based on BAPETEN regulation No. 6 of 2010, the deterministic threshold for the chance of cataracts is 15 mSv per year, so the range of effective dose values received by the patient is still within safe limits.

Review

This study addresses a pertinent radiation safety concern in diagnostic imaging by quantifying the radiation dose received by the eye lens during panoramic dental examinations. Utilizing Thermoluminescence Dosimeters (TLDs) on the eyelids of seven patients, the authors aimed to determine the effective dose and compare it against the BAPETEN No. 6 of 2010 deterministic threshold for cataracts. The reported average dose of 0.11 mSv, with a range of 0.095 mSv to 0.13 mSv, is significantly lower than the annual limit of 15 mSv. This finding offers initial reassurance regarding the safety profile of panoramic examinations concerning eye lens exposure under the investigated conditions. While the study's objective is clear and the use of TLDs represents a direct measurement approach, there are several aspects that could enhance its rigor and clarity. Most critically, the abstract states the research was conducted in "September 2025," which implies the study is yet to occur, rendering the presented results as hypothetical or anticipatory. This fundamental discrepancy needs immediate clarification. Furthermore, a sample size of only seven patients is quite limited, which restricts the generalizability and statistical robustness of the findings. It would also be beneficial to explicitly describe the conversion methodology from nC units to "effective dose" for the eye lens, as typically absorbed or equivalent dose to the lens is the direct measure for cataract risk assessment. Despite these limitations, this research provides valuable preliminary data regarding patient safety in dental radiography. The reassuring conclusion that eye lens doses from a single panoramic examination are well within established safety limits can contribute to clinical practice guidelines and patient counseling, helping to contextualize radiation risks. Future research should aim to confirm the study's actual execution date, expand the sample size to improve statistical power and generalizability, and provide a more detailed account of the dosimetric calculations. This work serves as a commendable first step towards optimizing radiation protection strategies in routine dental imaging procedures.

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