Lead Based Coating

[jjbons]

Got a strange request from a customer today. Seems he is looking for a lead based coating to put over the AR/scratch coating for his lenses. Its for an application in Radiology, where they are using either lasers or X-rays and they are looking for a thin lead based coating to put on their glasses as protection from the harmful side effects that could occur to their eyes.

I've never seen or heard of such a thing? Anyone got any ideas?

Thanks,

JB

[Chris Ryser]

I've never seen or heard of such a thing? Anyone got any ideas?

It is also used as radiation shielding for X-ray equipment and nuclear reactors. Oxides of Lead are used in producing fine "crystal glass" and "flint glass" of a high index of refraction for achromatic lenses.

Now I don't really know or remember if in the old days we would sell flint glass to radiolohists. Maybe some my other oldy OB members might remember such a thing.

Here is a patent:

Title:
Dual lens X-ray protective eyewear
Document Type and Number:
United States Patent 6309065

Abstract:
X-ray protective eyewear is disclosed having dual lenses disposed within channels in each lens receipt area of the eyewear, the foremost lenses being transparent radiation-blocking lenses and the rearmost lenses being made of a plastic corrective or non-corrective lenses, as desired.



Physicists Invent Lens for Focusing X-Rays

By MALCOLM W. BROWNE
Published: November 19, 1996
A TEAM of physicists in France and Russia has invented a new kind of lens that promises to make X-ray focusing easier, cheaper and accessible to many more users than in the past.
The invention may help in the creation of finer photolithography masks for cramming more circuits on a silicon chip, as well as in exploring the arrangement of atoms in crystals and other materials in much finer detail.

See at: http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpag...52C1A960958260

[DragonLensmanWV]

I've always thought x-ray absorptive lenses were pretty uselss, All the radiologist has to do is turn their head slightly and wham - they're not covered anymore. Besides, the rest of the head isn't going to stop them. So a lead based coating is impossible anyway.

[chip anderson]

I am old enough to have know lenses of leaded glass to have been used for this. Have not heard of anything in plastic (although this doesn't mean this exists).

Chip

[coffee joe]

it seems to me that if these folk's eye's are exposed to radiation, that their brains would be too. tell him if he's looking for a false sense of security to buy some meteor insurance.

[jjbons]

I think its actually some sort of surgery where they use x-rays or something similar to attack things like prostate cancer and such.

Thanks for the replys.

JB

[rbaker]

Got a strange request from a customer today. Seems he is looking for a lead based coating to put over the AR/scratch coating for his lenses. Its for an application in Radiology, where they are using either lasers or X-rays and they are looking for a thin lead based coating to put on their glasses as protection from the harmful side effects that could occur to their eyes.

I've never seen or heard of such a thing? Anyone got any ideas?

Thanks,

JB

OSHA requires that all laser and x-ray installation and operation documentation include specifications for appropriate protective eyewear and, I believe, be placarded as well. Have the employee obtain the info and then order it from a specialized supplier/lab. Refer to ANSI Z136.

This is one of the few opticianry things that you want to do properly as you can easily "do harm" if you don't know what you are doing. Follow the manufacturer’s recommendations explicitly.