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Persistent Asymmetric Optic Disc Swelling After Long-Duration Space Flight: Implications for Pathogenesis.

Thomas H Mader¹, C Robert Gibson, Christian A Otto

¹COL(R) US Army (THM), Cooper Landing, Alaska; Coastal Eye Associates (CRG), Webster, Texas; Department of Medicine (CAO), Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas; KBRWyle (AES), Houston, Texas; Wilmer Eye Institute (NRM), Baltimore, Maryland; Department of Ophthalmology (PSS), University of Colorado, Denver, Colorado; Life Sciences Division (SFH), NASA, Houston, Texas; Coastal Eye Associates (WL), Houston, Texas; Department of Vision Science (NBP), University of Houston, Houston, Texas; and Department of Ophthalmology (AGL), Methodist Hospital, Houston, Texas.

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Summary

Long-duration space flight caused persistent, asymmetric eye changes in an astronaut, including optic disc swelling and globe flattening. These findings suggest microgravity may alter intraocular pressure distribution.

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Area of Science:

Ophthalmology
Space Medicine
Astronaut Health

Background:

Long-duration space flight is associated with various ophthalmic changes in astronauts.
Previous observations include optic disc swelling, globe flattening, and choroidal folds.

Observation:

A case study documented ocular findings in a 45-year-old astronaut during and after a 6-month space mission.
Comprehensive eye examinations included fundus photography, ultrasound, and optical coherence tomography (OCT).

Findings:

Asymmetric choroidal expansion resolved within 30 days post-flight.
Asymmetric disc swelling persisted over 180 days, and optic disc morphologic changes (OCT) persisted for 630 days.
Asymmetric globe flattening began inflight and continued for 660 days post-flight. Lumbar puncture opening pressures were elevated.

Implications:

Persistent asymmetric ocular findings suggest microgravity may induce asymmetric pressure changes.
These changes may affect the perioptic subarachnoid space, impacting astronaut vision.
Further research is needed to understand the long-term effects of spaceflight on ocular health.