An eye on long-duration spaceflight: controversies, countermeasures and challenges
Ng, Vincent Wing Sum Mollan, Susan Patricia
Ng, Vincent Wing Sum
Mollan, Susan Patricia
Abstract
Space flight-associated neuroocular syndrome (SANS) is a consequence of long-duration space flight and is detected in two-thirds of astronauts. In-flight, this can cause a change in the refraction of the eyes, requiring graded hypermetropic 'superfocus adjustable' glasses, optic nerve head oedema and choroidal folds. While the optic disc oedema resolves on returning to gravitational force, the choroidal folds and axial length shortening remain. Controversy remains over the role of intracranial pressure in the development of these changes. A recent case report has re-energised the debate as to whether nutraceuticals and an individual's genetic expression of the 1-carbon metabolic pathway are a major component for the development of this condition. The strict 6° head down tilt bed rest platform remains the cornerstone for evaluating analogous pathological changes and trialling potential targeted therapies. The translational application of a glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonist for the treatment of raised intracranial pressure in idiopathic intracranial hypertension may be of significance as a potential countermeasure for SANS. The aim of this narrative review is to explore the controversies in the integration of the presumed pathophysiological factors and to debate suitable countermeasures.
MIDER Authors
Date
2025-07-03
Type
Article
Subject
Neurology, Ophthalmology
Collections
Citation
Ng VWS, Mollan SP. An eye on long-duration spaceflight: Controversies, countermeasures and challenges. Exp Physiol. 2025 Jul 3. doi: 10.1113/EP091561.
Journal / Source Title
Experimental physiology
DOI
10.1113/EP091561
PMID
40607685
Publisher
Wiley-Blackwell
Publisher’s URL
http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/10.1111/(ISSN)1469-445X
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/journals/?term=9002940
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/journals/?term=9002940