[Accommodation function of the eye in cosmonauts]

The accommodation function was examined before and after flight by the method of ophthalmoergometry. During flight proximetric measurements were performed according to the routine method. Medical examinations of cosmonauts following short- and long-term flights demonstrated that the main visual functions remained adequate. The changes included the development of eye fatigue caused by visual load, complexity of visual tasks and unfavorable conditions of visual perception as well as decrease of the accommodation range, peripheral and central visual fatigue. These changes persisted during several days after flight. It is concluded that the crewmembers with an inadequate accommodation function should use methods of optic correction. The detection of the above changes indicates the necessity of prophylaxis of eye fatigue in order to maintain visual work capacity.