Effect of Microwaves on the Eye

The utilization of microwave energy to produce an acute effect on the eyes of rabbits was experimentally investigated using both CW and pulsed power at 5.5 GHz. When present, lens opacities were developed within four days after exposures of sufficient intensity and duration; three minutes at the one-watt level were found to exceed cataractogenic threshold, while at the ½-watt level no acute effect was observed following a two-hour exposure.