Protect Patients’ Eyes From Radiation with OCU-GUARD
This new patient safety device is designed to help patients minimize the risks to their eyes from ionizing radiation.
Image Credit: © OCU-GUARD
Designed to help shield dental patients from the potential risks dental radiography poses to ocular tissues, the OCU-GUARD offers protection on par with lead aprons.
When a dental patient is lined up for radiographs, the eyes can inadvertently be exposed to radiation, and this is especially true for pediatric patients who have smaller heads, and thus their eyes are closer to their mouths. To address this issue, the patented OCU-GUARD is a flexible eye-mask featuring finely divided lead particles contained within a durable vinyl matrix. The design reportedly offers radiation attenuation greater than 93%, and the vinyl structure prevents the lead particles from any contact with the patient’s skin.
Fabricated in the USA, the masks are designed with an even distribution of the lead within the vinyl matrix to ensure even protection throughout the device. The manufacturing process and finished OCU-GUARD shields pass stringent testing protocols including ASTM, IEC 61331-1, and DIN6857-1.
The flexible shield is designed for durability and requires no maintenance besides cleaning with a disinfectant wipe. With each shield guaranteed to last for at least 500 exams, the cost per use is approximately 10 cents.
