26

somewhat greater in the exposed group in 1964
than in the unexposed comparison population.
These abnormalities consist of polychromatic
sheen, lenticular opacities of all degrees, and cataracts. The polychromatic sheen was noted as the
earliest lens change and varied from a few fine
granules in the earlier cases to large granular
plaques in the more advancedcases. ‘These plaques
were situated on the posterior lens capsule in the
zone of specular reflection. The earliest cases
showed yellowish granules which in some cases

appearedslightly darker with a ‘“‘beaten brass”
color. As the granules coalesce into a plaque,
greenish and bluish hues appear — hence the name
polychromatic sheen.
Whetherthe polychromatic sheen seen following irradiation has unique and specific charac-

teristics is still a debatable question. Some inves-

Table 17
Residual “Beta Burns”

Subject
No. Age

Sex

Data
Roughening and pigment variation
on front of neck. Several pigmented
macules ACF.* Perianal depigmen-

2

12.

M_

3

11

M_

1!

60

M_

tation.

systemic disease or intoxication. Such polychro-

matic sheens were seen in 21% of the unirradiated
Rongelap group and 26.5% of the exposed group.
This difference is thought to be too small to implicate irradiation exposure with any degree of certainty, particularly in view ofthe slightly greater
numberof older people in the exposed group. The
incidence of lenticular opacities was also slightly
greater in the exposed group (19%) than in the unexposed group (12%).
Only one child (an 8-year-old female) complainedof defective night vision. This was thought
to be due to vitamin A deficiency, since there were

no pathological changesin the fundusofeithereye.
Several years ago 12 children were encountered
who hadgreatdifficulty in seeing at night. These
children responded promptly with vitamin A
treatment and dietary changes.
Only two cases were noted with corneal pigmen-

tation, previously seen in three cases (1962). This

pigmentation was characterized bya fine, dark,

linear streak of pigmentlying close to or on Bowman’s membranein the horizontal axis between
the limbus and pupillary edge. It is believed that
these changes may have been induced from beta
radiation contaminating marginsofthe eyelids at
the time of the accident.
There were several findings which mayberesidual to the poliomyelitis epidemic of 1963: two

Pigment changes left ACF, dorsum

first right toe; pigmented nevi axilla.

17

13

F

Scarring and pigmentation left ACF.

20

17

M_

Pigmented patch back of neck.

23

14

M_

Pigmented maculesleft axilla, front
of neck and chest. Depigmented spots
shaft penis.

24

23

=F

Slight pigmentvariation on front of
neck; several pigmented macules

34

55

F

39

25

F

tigators contend that similar appearing changes

can be detected in patients with retinitis pigmentosa and the early stages of cataracts which
might be a complication of endogenous ocular or

Mottled pigmentation both axillae.
Pigmented area behindleft ear.

dorsumleft foot.
Slight roughening and pigmentation
back of neck. Moles on front of neck.

Slight roughening and pigmentation
back of neck; pigment variations and
slight hyperpigmentation dorsum
right foot.

49

25

F

54

11

M

59

44

F

Numerous pigmented macules both

sides of neck and a few on arms and

ACF.

Mottled pigmentation and depigmentation on front of neck.

Mottled pigmentation and depigmentation on back of neck.

63

46

F

64

40

F

65

il

F

Slight rugosity and pigmented ridges

on back of neck.

Mole back of neck; slight pigment
variation and a few maculesfront of
neck.

Pigmentvariation and roughening
front of neck.

67

24

75

22

78

$47

F

Depigmented scars dorsum left foot.

Slight pigmented area dorsum right
first toe. |
F

Numerous pedunculated moles on
sides and front of neck.

79 .

49

M_

Pigmented and depigmented scar

posterior surfaceleft ear.

*ACF=antecubitalfossa.

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