How are cataracts due to radiation exposure classified?

Cataracts resulting from radiation exposure are classified as a late effect and deterministic. This means that there is a clear threshold dose below which cataracts are unlikely to develop, and the severity of the cataract is related to the amount of radiation exposure. Unlike stochastic effects, which occur randomly and do not have a threshold dose (like cancer), deterministic effects have a specific dose that determines their likelihood of occurrence and severity.

In the case of cataracts, significant doses of radiation can cause the lens of the eye to become opaque, leading to vision impairment. The onset of cataracts after radiation exposure typically occurs long after the exposure event, which is characteristic of late effects. The deterministic nature reflects that once a certain dose is exceeded, the outcome (in this case, cataract formation) becomes more certain and predictably linked to that exposure level. Therefore, identifying cataracts as a late effect and deterministic aligns accurately with their biological response to radiation.