J GlaucomaAugust 201947 citations

Gravitational Influence on Intraocular Pressure: Implications for Spaceflight and Disease.

Huang Alex S, Stenger Michael B, Macias Brandon R

View on PubMed DOI: 10.1097/IJG.0000000000001293

AI Summary

Spaceflight-induced ocular changes (SANS) in astronauts, particularly optic disc edema, are being studied. Understanding SANS may offer insights into Earth-based eye diseases like glaucoma.

Abstract

Spaceflight-associated neuro-ocular syndrome (SANS) describes a series of morphologic and functional ocular changes in astronauts first reported by Mader and colleagues in 2011. SANS is currently clinically defined by the development of optic disc edema during prolonged exposure to the weightless (microgravity) environment, which currently occurs on International Space Station (ISS). However, as improvements in our understanding of the ocular changes emerge, the definition of SANS is expected to evolve. Other ocular SANS signs that arise during and after ISS missions include hyperopic shifts, globe flattening, choroidal/retinal folds, and cotton wool spots. Over the last 10 years, ~1 in 3 astronauts flying long-duration ISS missions have presented with ≥1 of these ocular findings. Commensurate with research that combines disparate specialties (vision biology and spaceflight medicine), lessons from SANS investigations may also yield insight into ground-based ocular disorders, such as glaucomatous optic neuropathy that may have the potential to lessen the burden of this irreversible cause of vision loss on Earth.

MeSH Terms

AstronautsGlaucomaGravitationHumansIntraocular PressureOptic Nerve DiseasesPapilledemaSpace FlightSyndromeVision DisordersWeightlessness

Shields Classification

Ch. 2Intraocular Pressure and Tonometry

Ch. 4Optic Nerve, Retina, and Choroid

Ch. 9Clinical Epidemiology of Glaucoma

Key Concepts5

Over the last 10 years, approximately 1 in 3 astronauts flying long-duration International Space Station (ISS) missions have presented with at least one of the ocular findings associated with Spaceflight-associated neuro-ocular syndrome (SANS).

EpidemiologyExpert OpinionReviewn=Not applicableCh1Ch10

Lessons from Spaceflight-associated neuro-ocular syndrome (SANS) investigations may yield insight into ground-based ocular disorders, such as glaucomatous optic neuropathy, which has the potential to lessen the burden of this irreversible cause of vision loss on Earth.

MechanismExpert OpinionReviewn=Not applicableCh1Ch5Ch11

Spaceflight-associated neuro-ocular syndrome (SANS) describes a series of morphologic and functional ocular changes in astronauts, first reported by Mader and colleagues in 2011.

DiagnosisExpert OpinionReviewn=Not applicableCh1

Spaceflight-associated neuro-ocular syndrome (SANS) is currently clinically defined by the development of optic disc edema during prolonged exposure to the weightless (microgravity) environment, which currently occurs on International Space Station (ISS).

DiagnosisExpert OpinionReviewn=Not applicableCh1Ch5

Other ocular Spaceflight-associated neuro-ocular syndrome (SANS) signs that arise during and after International Space Station (ISS) missions include hyperopic shifts, globe flattening, choroidal/retinal folds, and cotton wool spots.