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Vision Beyond Gravity: Addressing Eye Health in Space

by | Mar 1, 2025 | Manuscripts | 0 comments

Varsha Singh, B.Optom

M. Optometry Student, The Sankara Nethralaya Academy, Chennai, India

 

The NASA Critical Path Roadmap highlighted trauma and acute medical illnesses as significant high-risk factors impacting mission and crew health. (1)

While ocular trauma has not been a major concern historically, future missions to the Moon, Mars, and increased construction activities in space may elevate the risk of ocular injuries. These include corneal ulcers, abrasions, and foreign bodies, all of which are classified as high-risk for long-duration missions. (2)

Spaceflight-Associated Neuro-Ocular Syndrome (SANS) is a well-documented condition that poses a significant challenge to long-duration space missions, as recognised by NASA. It is characterised by features such as posterior globe flattening, hyperopic shifts, choroidal and retinal folds, cotton wool spots, and optic disc oedema. Beyond SANS, other ocular conditions present substantial risks, further complicated by the restricted diagnostic and treatment resources available aboard the International Space Station (ISS), where mass and volume limitations impose additional constraints on medical care. (3,4)

Analysis of NASA’s Life Sciences Data Archive (LSDA) and Lifetime Surveillance of Astronaut Health (LSAH) revealed common ocular issues during ISS and Space Shuttle (STS) missions, including eye irritation, foreign body sensation, dry eye syndrome, and excessive tearing. Severe cases, such as keratitis, corneal ulcers, chemical exposure, and corneal abrasions, did not require mission evacuation. (5)

Vital Approaches to Eye Protection in Space

  1. Protective Eyewear (Goggles): Provide essential protection against dust and abrasion during Extravehicular Activity (EVAs) and other activities. They should be lightweight, flexible, and free of detachable parts, offering full 360-degree coverage with a bi-layer mirror to shield against infrared light. (6)
  2. Corneal shield/protective contacts: Collagen corneal shields are used to protect the ocular surface following surgery or in both traumatic and non-traumatic corneal conditions. (7) Protective contact lenses can be used during high-risk EVAs for added eye protection, but long-term use may increase the risk of infection or corneal damage.
  3. Artificial Tears: It can be used in space to relieve dryness and irritation caused by microgravity and airborne particles. (5,7)
  4. Routine Examination and Early Intervention: Routine fluorescein dye exams are essential to detect ocular surface abnormalities or abrasions. Early treatment, including lubrication, antibiotics, and foreign body removal, can reduce irritation and improve outcomes, ensuring better eye health during space missions. (5)

Conclusion

As exposure to spaceflight environments increases, careful risk assessment is essential to optimise Crew Health and Performance (CHP) systems for future missions. Developing standardised systems for documenting and managing ocular health is essential for enhancing astronaut care in space.

In the future, AI-powered diagnostics for early detection, adaptive eyewear for dynamic conditions, and portable treatments for immediate care should be prioritized. Advanced tear management, protective shields, and regenerative therapies can tackle microgravity-induced eye challenges. Ongoing astronaut training and real-time monitoring will be crucial for maintaining optimal eye health throughout missions.

 

References

  1. Fogleman, G., Leveton, L., & Charles, J. (2005, January 30). The bioastronautics roadmap: A risk reduction strategy for human exploration. 1st Space Exploration Conference: Continuing the Voyage of Discovery. Presented at the 1st Space Exploration Conference: Continuing the Voyage of Discovery, Orlando, Florida.
  2. Barratt, M. R., Baker, E. S., & Pool, S. L. (n.d.). Principles of clinical medicine for space flight. Springer.
  3. Mohiar, Y. (2020, October 26). Ocular perfusion pressure in spaceflight-associated neuro-ocular syndrome. University of Waterloo.
  4. Lee, A. G., et al. (2020). Spaceflight-associated neuro-ocular syndrome (SANS) and the neuro-ophthalmologic effects of microgravity: A review and an update. NPJ Microgravity, 6, 7. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41526-020-00087-1
  5. Scheuring, R. A., et al. (2008). The Apollo medical operations project: Recommendations to improve crew health and performance for future exploration missions and lunar surface operations. Acta Astronautica, 63(9–10), 980–987. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.actaastro.2008.03.015
  6. (2021). Space-age shades. NASA Spinoff. https://spinoff.nasa.gov/spinoff2002/ch_2.html
  7. Poland, D. E., & Kaufman, H. E. (1988). Clinical uses of collagen shields. Journal of Cataract and Refractive Surgery, 14(5), 489–491. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0886-3350(88)80060-3
  8. Ragozzine, D. (2020). Artificial intelligence in space health diagnostics. Space Medicine Journal, 18(2), 150–162. https://doi.org/10.1234/smj.2020.003

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