EVALUATION OF EFFECTS OF ACUTE EXPOSURE TO THE ELECTROMAGNETIC WAVES EMITTED FROM MOBILE PHONE ON VISUAL EVOKED POTENTIALS

Background & Objectives: Electromagnetic waves (EMW) emitted from mobile phone (MP) have the potential to damage eye tissues. Eyes having fewer blood vessels than other organs are more vulnerable to heat. Currently, very little information is available on the effects of acute exposure to the EMW emitted from MP on the human visual system. Therefore, the present study was planned to evaluate the same by recording of pattern reversal visual evoked potentials (PRVEPs). Material and Methods: The present study was conducted in 50 healthy subjects of either sex in the age group 18-40 years using MP for more than 5 years. PRVEPs were recorded before and after exposure to the MP (Samsung wave II GSM 900) on RMS EMG EP MK2 machine using 10-20 system of electrode placement. Duration of exposure was 10 minutes. Each eye was tested separately. Latencies and amplitude of waves were measured and data so obtained was subjected to statistical analysis. Results: Our study revealed longer latencies and smaller amplitude of all the VEP waves in both eyes following acute exposure to the MP. The changes were statistically significant. Inter-eye comparison revealed statistically insignificant difference in VEP parameters both before and after exposure. Interpretation &Conclusion: From the findings of our study, it can be reasonably concluded that even a single acute exposure to the EMW emitted from MP influences human visual system. Prolongation of latency especially of the wave P100 suggests delay in the conduction of impulses along visual pathways.