23
Figure 19. Section ofskin from beta-burn area on back of
Figure 17. Persisting depigmented areas, 6 months
after exposure, in areas of mostseverelesions.*
neck of 56-year-old woman (No. 34) at 10 years after exposure (100 x}. Note atrophy of epidermis with narrowing of stratum granulosum and fingerlike projections of
rete pegs. Slight atrophy of the sweat gland ductsis also
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Figure 18. Ear lesion healed, 6 months
Figure 20. Pigmented nevuslike lesions in previous
the neck regions that sustained severe beta burns
suggests that the developmentofbenign lesions may
and unexposed populations. In addition, special
examinationsfor possible effects of radiation on
the eyes have been doneat intervals by ophthalmologists accompanying the medical team,first in
May 1954 (2 monthsafter the accident) and then
in 1955, 1956, 1957, 1958, 1959, 1962, 1964, 1967,
after exposure, with considerable scarring.”
have been enhanced bythe skin exposure (see Fig-
ure 20). Possible cocarcinogenic factors such as the
ultraviolet radiation in tropical sunlight and skin
irritation from coral, trauma, and infections may
render the developmentof malignantchanges in the
skin morelikely, but the dark pigmentation should
offer some protection, as it has been shown that
skin cancer is less prevalent among Negroes.
E. OPHTHALMOLOGICAL FINDINGS
Routine ophthalmological examinations (including funduscopic) have been included in the
regular physical examinations of both the exposed
beta-burn area of neck (subject No. 78).
1971, and 1972. The routine examinations include
testing of vision, accommodation, muscle balance,
and pupillary reactions; external examination;
and funduscopy. Vision ts tested with the Snellen
chart and the E-chart when necessary. Intraocular
tension has been measured when indicated, and
color vision has been tested on severaloccasions.
Special examinations have includedslit-lamp and
fundus photography. As part of the aging studies
quantitative changesin certain eye characteristics