Agnirva Space Premier League - Expedition #31071: Eye Spy in Space: Uncovering Vision Changes in Astronauts on the ISS

Life in microgravity affects the human body in surprising ways—and one of the most critical areas is vision. The 'Investigating Structure and Function of the Eye' experiment seeks to understand how spaceflight alters the eye, potentially leading to long-term effects on astronaut health. Led by Dr. Brandon Macias at NASA's Johnson Space Center, this human research experiment targets a phenomenon known as Spaceflight Associated Neuro-ocular Syndrome (SANS).

Astronauts aboard the ISS often report vision changes after just a few weeks in orbit. These changes include blurry vision, flattened eyeballs, and swelling of the optic nerve. Using advanced imaging tools, including optical coherence tomography and ultrasound, researchers study how fluid shifts in microgravity may be causing these alterations. Unlike on Earth, fluids in the body don’t flow downward under gravity; instead, they move toward the head, increasing pressure inside the skull and behind the eyes.

This study measures the structure of the eye before, during, and after space missions to track these changes over time. Researchers also explore possible countermeasures, like negative pressure devices or exercise routines, to protect astronauts’ vision on future long-duration missions.

The insights gained here aren’t just for spacefarers. Understanding how fluid dynamics affect vision could benefit people on Earth suffering from similar conditions due to high intracranial pressure.

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