Microwave-induced hazardous nonlinear thermoelastic vibrations of the ocular lens in the human eye

When a high intensity microwave energy irradiates the human eye, lens opacification and cataractogenic effects often result, due to the absorption of the incident energy and consequent conversion into heat. Besides these effects, it is presently indicated that the temperature rise due to the absorbed energy may also induce thermoelastic stresses in the ocular media and causes nonlinear elastic vibrations of the lens. The resulting mechanical effect arising from compression and tension stress would evoke hazardous physiochemical processes through micromassaging of the tissue surfaces. A theoretical evaluation of the microwave-induced temperature distribution in the eye and consequent thermoelastic stress-strain and vibration parameters, is presented. The resulting hazardous effects are quantified in terms of damage function and thermal shock resistance coefficient. © 1979.