Persistent Globe Flattening in Astronauts Following Long-Duration Spaceflight

Overview

Journal Neuroophthalmology

Specialty Neurology

Date 2021 Mar 25

PMID 33762785

Citations 16

Authors

Thomas H Mader

C Robert Gibson

Michael R Barratt

Neil R Miller

Prem S Subramanian

Hanspeter E Killer

William J Tarver

Ashot E Sargsyan

Kathleen Garcia

Stephen F Hart

Larry A Kramer

Roy Riascos

Tyson J Brunstetter

William Lipsky

Peter Wostyn

Andrew G Lee

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Posterior globe flattening has been well-documented in astronauts both during and after long-duration space flight (LDSF) and has been observed as early as 10 days into a mission on the International Space Station. Globe flattening (GF) is thought to be caused by the disc centred anterior forces created by elevated volume and/or pressure within the optic nerve sheath (ONS). This might be the result of increased intracranial pressure, increased intraorbital ONS pressure from compartmentalisation or a combination of these mechanisms. We report posterior GF in three astronauts that has persisted for 7 years or more following their return from LDSFs suggesting that permanent scleral remodelling may have occurred.

Citing Articles

A multifactorial, evidence-based analysis of pathophysiology in Spaceflight Associated Neuro-Ocular Syndrome (SANS).

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Hypothesis on the outflow of optic nerve cerebrospinal fluid in spaceflight associated neuro ocular syndrome.

Hu Y, Lin Y, Cheng L, Xu Y, Zhang J, Zheng Z NPJ Microgravity. 2024; 10(1):112.

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Refractive shifts in astronauts during spaceflight: mechanisms, countermeasures, and future directions for in-flight measurements.

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Dynamic changes in perivascular space morphology predict signs of spaceflight-associated neuro-ocular syndrome in bed rest.

Richmond S, Seidler R, Iliff J, Schwartz D, Luther M, Silbert L NPJ Microgravity. 2024; 10(1):24.

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Quantitative ultrasound image assessment of the optic nerve subarachnoid space during 90-day head-down tilt bed rest.

Xie Y, Fu Y, Shao Y, Qu L, Yang J, Yang C NPJ Microgravity. 2024; 10(1):9.

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