Abstract

Overview

The objective of this study was to develop a model of ocular damage induced by 40, 75, and 95 GHz continuous millimeter waves (MMW), facilitating assessment of clinical course of damage from exposure to MMW inducing thermal damage. Pigmented rabbit eyes were exposed to MMW from a spot-focus-type lens antenna, engaging in thorough examinations post-exposure.

Findings

• Initial signs of ocular damage, such as reduced cornea thickness and transparency, appeared 10 minutes after exposure.
• Corneal epithelial injury was indicated by diffuse fluorescein staining surrounding the pupillary area.
• Follow-up evaluations showed corneal edema peaking one day post-exposure, with conditions approaching normal three days later. Corneal thickness remained slightly elevated from pre-exposure levels.
• Detailed probit analyses estimated the probabilities for incidence of ocular damage based on power density, establishing DD50 values across frequencies.

Conclusion

Models of ocular disorder due to 40, 75, and 95 GHz MMW exposure indicated comparable damage levels across frequencies, with no frequency-specific characteristics. The correlation of ocular damage with incident power density was identified, suggesting significant implications for setting safety standards in environments exposed to MMW.