Microgravity-induced ocular changes in astronauts: a sight odyssey

Abstract

More than a new motivating force to the space race, the arrival of the American astronaut Scott Kelly from almost a year travel to the International Space Station promises a scientific milestone in the study of the long-term effects of the human body outside the Earth's atmosphere (1) . In addition to all the space-related data collected during the trip, the astronaut and his twin brother, Mark Kelly -nonparticipating to this mission, will be extensively compared. This study is analyzing laboratory samples from both, including assessments of the musculoskeletal, and immune system, genetic analysis and ocular evaluations, in order to increment knowledge related to microgravity effects on the human body. The results will be crucial for the Journey to Mars program (in 2030's) outlined in the bipartisan United State National Space Policy and National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Authorization Act issued in 2010.Microgravity is defined as a very small gravity condition in which objects appear to be weightless (2) . Given the difficulties and cost of space travel, parabolic flight tests (producing transient periods of microgravity) and the head-down bed-rest studies (simulating the pressure effects of microgravity) has been used to examine several systemic and ocular changes (3) . In addition to space radiation-induced cataract, the effects of microgravity on the eyes are considered the most impactful health problems for the success of long-term space travels. Still, a minimal comparison can be obtained by the experiences on high-altitude climbing, which have also shown harmful consequences to the retina, optic nerve, and cornea (mainly related to corneal refractive surgeries) (3)(4)(5) . As an analogy to the importance of vision-threatening environmental scenarios, the book "Into thin air" authored by Jon Krakauer quotes high-altitude-related blurred vision resulting in a Mount Everest tragedy as the critical limitation to an adventurer (6) . The first ocular findings in space flights were related to the blurring of vision, described in the 60's and later were associated with the Visual Impairment and Intracranial Pressure (VIIP) syndrome (3,7) . The findings outlined in this syndrome could be explained by modifications in the fluid shift pattern resulting from altered pressures in several liquid compartments of the body, especially the intraocular pressure (IOP), the intracranial pressure (ICP) and the blood pressure. Thus, the neuroretinal-cerebrospinal fluid interface (including lamina cribrosa) could be affected by microgravity, due to the local "cul-de-sac" anatomy of the optic nerve head and the relative increased ICP transmitted to the eye by the subarachnoid space. As consequence, the optic nerve sheath distension, optic disc edema, vascular changes in the choroid and retina (eg., folds choroidal, thickening of the retinal fiber layer, cotton wool spots), "flattening" of the eyeball and a hyperopic shift have been described in several astronauts (3,8) . Still, a moderate acute IOP increase in t...