Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42382431›Full record

ReviewAdvances in radiation oncology2026

Critical Review of Cataractogenesis and Lens Contouring in Radiation Oncology.

Alexander Grosinger, Anna Roovers, Kyra M Boorsma Bergerud, Marissa Kaufman, Jessica Vadas, Richard Evans, Gregory Hubert, Sara R Alcorn, Jianling Yuan, Jessica Lawrence and 5 more

Abstract readReview
In one paragraph

Review in Advances in radiation oncology, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

15 authors.

Alexander GrosingerDepartment of Radiation Oncology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Anna RooversUniversity of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Kyra M Boorsma BergerudUniversity of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Marissa KaufmanUniversity of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Jessica VadasDepartment of Radiation Oncology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Richard EvansDepartment of Radiation Oncology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Gregory HubertDepartment of Radiation Oncology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Sara R AlcornDepartment of Radiation Oncology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Jianling YuanDepartment of Radiation Oncology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Jessica LawrenceDepartment of Radiation Oncology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Colette ShenDepartment of Radiation Oncology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina.
Collin M McClellandDepartment of Ophthalmology and Visual Neurosciences, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Michael S LeeDepartment of Ophthalmology and Visual Neurosciences, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Stephanie TerezakisDepartment of Radiation Oncology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Lindsey SloanDepartment of Radiation Oncology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Purpose: The objective is to comprehensively review radiation-induced cataractogenesis and recommend lens contouring guidelines to unify and improve dose reporting that informs future lens constraints. Methods and Materials: A thorough literature review was conducted to examine the anatomic, physiological, and pathologic aspects of the lens. Studies on radiation-induced cataracts, including thresholds for cataractogenesis, latency periods, and classification systems, were reviewed. Standardized lens contouring guidelines were developed for use in radiation therapy treatment planning and dose reporting. Results: The lens is a transparent, avascular structure responsible for refraction and accommodation. It is highly radiosensitive, and radiation-induced cataractogenesis most often presents as posterior subcapsular cataracts, although cortical and nuclear sclerotic changes can also occur. Key risk factors include total dose, fractionation, and dose rate. Cataracts are a well-described late effect after ocular-directed radiation therapy and other treatments that deliver clinically meaningful lens dose (eg, ocular radiation therapy/brachytherapy and total body irradiation), with incidence varying by lens dose, fractionation, patient age, and duration of follow-up. Standard assessment tools-slit-lamp examination and the Lens Opacities Classification System III-are limited by interobserver variability. Scheimpflug tomography offers a promising, objective, quantitative alternative. We present a step-by-step guide to improve consistency in lens delineation for radiation therapy planning, facilitate avoidance when feasible, and standardize lens dose reporting for future studies. Conclusions: Radiation-induced cataracts are a significant late complication of ocular, brain, total body, and head and neck radiation therapy. Standardized lens contouring guidelines and multidisciplinary collaboration with ophthalmology can improve lens-sparing and enhance detection and management of cataracts. Further research is needed to refine dose thresholds, improve assessment methods, and develop strategies to mitigate cataractogenesis.

Identifiers

PMID42382431
PMCPMC13315199

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.