Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Microwave refraction in the eye

  • Published:
Annals of Biomedical Engineering Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

An ocular model is postulated to describe the refraction of microwaves (1 to 35 GHz) impinging on the eye from free space. Results from several semiempirical computations in which experimentally determined dielectric constants and electrical conductivities were incorporated into the model suggest that the focal point for an impinging paraxial beam of microwaves occurs a few millimeters behind the posterior center of the lens. The distance between the posterior center of the lens and the focal point is shown to increase with frequency, whereas the computed penetration depth of the lens at the anterior and posterior center is shown to decrease with frequency. A comparison between the model computations and experimentally induced cataractogenesis at various frequencies suggest that refraction is a significant factor in the lower frequency region (f<5 GHz), whereas in the higher frequency region (f>5 GHz) penetrationdepth effects become increasingly important.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Baillie, H. D. Thermal and nonthermal cataractogenesis by microwaves.Non-Ioniz. Radiat. 1: 159–163, 1970.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  2. Baillie, H. D., A. G. Heaton, and D. K. Pal. The dissipation of microwaves as heat in the eye.Non-Ioniz. Radiat. 1: 164–169, 1970.

    Google Scholar 

  3. Baranski, S. and P. Czerski.Biological Effects of Microwaves. Stroudsburg, PA: Dowen, Hutchinson & Ross, Inc., 1977, p. 147.

    Google Scholar 

  4. Carpenter, R. L. Experimental radiation cataracts induced by microwave radiation.Proc. Second. Ann. Tri-Service Conf. on Biol. Effects of Microwave Energy RADC-TR-58, 54, ASTIA Doc. No. AD-131-477, 146–166, 1958.

    Google Scholar 

  5. Carpenter, R. L. Studies of the effects of 2450 Mc. radiation on the eye of the rabbit.Proc. Third Ann. Tri-Service Conf. on Biol. Effects of Microwave Energy RADC-TR-59-140, 279–290, 1959.

    Google Scholar 

  6. Carpenter, R. L. An experimental study of the biological effects of microwave radiation in relation to the eye. Rome Air Development Center Report RADC-TDR-62-131, 51, 1962.

    Google Scholar 

  7. Carpenter, R. L. Experimental microwave, cataract, a review. In-Biological Effects and Health Implications of Microwave Radiation Symposium Proc. U.S. Dept. of Health, Education, and Welfare Report BRH/DBE 70-2, (PB 193-858), Rockville, Md. 1970.

  8. Carpenter, R. L., D. K. Biddle, and C. A. Van Ummerson. Opacities in the lens of the eye experimentally induced by exposure to microwave radiation.IRE Trans. Med. Electronics PGME-7: 152–157, 1960.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  9. Carpenter, R. L. and E. M. Livstone. Evidence for nonthermal effects of microwave radiation: Abnormal development of irradiated insect pupae.IEEE Trans. Microwave Theory Tech. MTT-19, No. 1: 173–178, 1977.

    Google Scholar 

  10. Carpenter, R. L., and C. A. Van Ummerson. The action of microwave radiation on the eye.J. Microwave Power 3:3–19, 1968.

    Google Scholar 

  11. Daily, L., K. G. Wakim, J. F. Herrick, and E. M. Parkhill. The effects, of microwave diathermy the eye.Am. J. Physiol. 155: 432, 1948.

    Google Scholar 

  12. Daily, L., K. G. Wakim, J. F. Herrick, E. M. Parkhill, and W. L. Benedict. The effects of microwave diathermy on the eye.Am. J. Ophthalmol. 33: 1241–1254, 1950.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  13. Daily, L., K. G. Wakim, J. F. Herrick, E. M. Parkhill, and W. L. Benedict. The effects of microwave diathermy on the eye of the rabbit.Am. J. Ophthalmol. 35: 1001–1017, 1952.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  14. Daily, L., E. A. Zeller, K. G. Wakim, J. F. Herrick, and W. L. Benedict. The influence of microwaves on certain enzyme systems in the lens of the eye.Am. J. Ophthalmol. 34: 1301–1306, 1951.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  15. Joines, W. T. Reception of microwaves by the brain.Med. Res. Eng. 12: 8–12, 1976.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  16. Kritikos, H. N. and H. P. Schwan. The distribution of heating potential inside lossy spheres.IEEE Trans. Biomed. Eng. BME-22, 6: 457–463, 1975.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  17. Milroy, W. C. and S. M. Michaelson. Microwave caracterogensis: A critical review of the literature.Aerosp. Med. 43: 67–75, 1972.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  18. Pauly, H. and H. P. Schwan. The dielectric properties of the bovine eye lens.IEEE Trans. Biomed. Eng. 11, 3: 103–109, 1964.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  19. Richardson, A. W., T. D. Duane, and H. M. Hines. Experimental lenticular opacities produced by microwave irradiations.Arch. Phys. Med. 29: 765–769, 1948.

    Google Scholar 

  20. Richardson, A. W., T. D. Duane, and H. M. Hines. Experimental cataract produced by three centimeter pulsed microwave irradiations.AMA Arch. Ophthalmol. 45: 382–386, 1951.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  21. Richardson, A. W., D. H. Lomox, J. Nichols, and H. D. Green. The role of energy, pupillary diameter, and alloxan diabetes in the production of ocular damage by microwave irradiations.Am. J. Ophthalmol. 35: 993–1000, 1952.

    Google Scholar 

  22. Schwan, H. P. Microwave radiation: Biophysical considerations and standards criteria.IEEE Trans. Biomed. Eng. BME-19, 4: 304–312, 1972.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  23. Tanabe, E. and W. T. Joines. A nondestructive method for measuring the complex permittivity of dielectric materials at microwave frequencies using an open transmission line resonator.,IEEE Trans. Instrum. Meas IM-25, 3: 222–226, 1976.

    Google Scholar 

  24. Williams, D. B., J. P. Monahan, W. J. Nicholson, and J. J. Aldrich. Biologic effects studies on microwave radiation.Arch. Ophthalmol. 54: 863–874, 1955.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  25. Williams, D. B., J. P. Monahan, W. J. Nicholson, and J. J. Aldrich. Biologic effects studies on microwave radiation: Time and power thresholds for the production of lens opacities by 12.3 cm microwaves.IRE Trans. Med. Electron. PGME-4: 17–22, 1956.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Author notes

  1. Herbert Hacker Jr.

    Present address: Bell Telephone Laboratories, Inc., 07981, Whippany, NJ

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Electrical Engineering, Duke University, 27706, Durham, NC

    Lisa B. Schichtel, Herbert Hacker Jr., William T. Joines & Bill S. Yamanashi

Authors
  1. Lisa B. Schichtel
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Herbert Hacker Jr.
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. William T. Joines
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Bill S. Yamanashi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Schichtel, L.B., Hacker, H., Joines, W.T. et al. Microwave refraction in the eye. Ann Biomed Eng 8, 225–234 (1980). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02364478

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02364478

Keywords

Search

Navigation