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Updated: May 22, 2025

Assessment of Global Ocular Structure Following Spaceflight Using a Micro-Computed Tomography Micro-CT Imaging Method
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Potential Risks of Ocular Molecular and Cellular Changes in Spaceflight

Ryung Lee1, Joshua Ong2, Ethan Waisberg3

  • 1Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine, New York, NY, USA.

Seminars in Ophthalmology
|March 17, 2025
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Spaceflight causes molecular changes like oxidative stress and DNA damage, increasing risks for astronaut vision problems. Understanding these effects on ocular cells is crucial for deep-space exploration safety.

Area of Science:

  • Space biology
  • Ophthalmology
  • Molecular biology

Background:

  • Spaceflight induces cellular and molecular alterations including oxidative stress, DNA damage, mitochondrial dysfunction, epigenetic changes, telomere dynamics, and microbiome shifts.
  • These changes can impact ocular cells like retinal ganglion cells and corneal epithelium.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review molecular changes during spaceflight.
  • To apply these principles to ocular cells and assess ophthalmic disease risks for astronauts.

Main Methods:

  • A comprehensive literature search of PubMed, Web of Science, and Embase databases was performed up to July 2024.
  • Keywords included "oxidative stress," "DNA damage," "Mitochondrial Dysfunction," "Epigenetics," "Telomeres," "Microbiome," "ocular cells," "spaceflight," "microgravity," and "radiation."

Main Results:

  • 115 articles were included in the review.
  • Molecular changes identified contribute to ophthalmic conditions such as cataracts, spaceflight-associated neuro-ocular syndrome (SANS), and dry eye syndrome.

Conclusions:

  • This review summarizes vision risks for astronauts on long-duration missions beyond low Earth orbit.
  • Further research on countermeasures is essential to prevent vision loss in astronauts during deep-space exploration.
Keywords:
Microgravityocular cellsophthalmic diseases, spaceflight genetics

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