Development of lens opacities and the measures taken to avoid them have clinical relevance in the fields of oncology, radiotherapy and radiation protection. The aim of this study was to correlate the prevalence of lenticular opacities in individuals exposed to ionizing radiation in childhood with radiation dose and other possible risk factors. Between 1920 and 1959, about 16,500 children (age <18 months) with skin hemangiomas were referred to Radiumhemmet, Karolinska University Hospital, 89% of whom were treated with radiotherapy. A total of 484 exposed individuals and 89 nonexposed controls participated in an ophthalmological examination. Lens opacities were found in 357 (37%) of the 953 lenses examined in the exposed persons. In contrast, lens opacities were observed in only 35 (20%) of the 178 lenses examined in the nonexposed control individuals. It is concluded that the increased prevalence of cortical and posterior subcapsular opacities is related to previous radiotherapy. Age at examination was the strongest modifier of risk. Children exposed to a lenticular dose of 1 Gy had a 50% increased risk (odds ratio 1.50; 95% confidence interval 1.10-2.05) of developing a posterior subcapsular opacity and a 35% increased risk of a cortical opacity (odds ratio 1.35; 95% confidence interval 1. 07- 1.69).

The ability to identify letters of different size remains, in relation to the allowed effort, the most informative measure of visual capacity. Numerous letter charts have been produced with varying design, size, and size progression of the letters. Attempts to ‘standardize’ letter testing have been fruitless. In Sweden, the most commonly used letter charts show deficiencies in letter selection, size, and progression. In the present study, letter legibility was studied. 10 letters of average legibility were selected and a new chart constructed using these letters in sizes corresponding to acuities from 0.1 to 2.0. A geometric size progression was found optimal (factor 1.26).

Herein we describe a relapsing acute keratouveitis without known aetiology. The disorder has been found in two families and shows an autosomal dominant inheritance. Acute anterior uveitis can be traced for five generations in one of these families. In the same family there is also an association to an autosomal dominantly inherited vascular disorder (Osler-Rendu-Weber disease). The anterior uveitis has an acute onset, a recurrent pattern and a mild activity. The associated keratitis is seen as a midstromal thin flat disc in the central cornea, sometimes with folds in Descemet's membrane as a sign of oedema. This causes a change in refraction and a mild reduction of the corrected visual acuity. There is a prompt response to topical steroid treatment, but the corneal changes have in one case become permanent. Clinical documentation and the mode of inheritance is presented.