IMPLICATIONS OF LONG-TERM SPACE MISSIONS FOR ONSET OF GLAUCOMA AND OCULAR TESTING

摘要

Glaucoma is the second leading eye condition that results in blindness if it is not treated in time. Because thiscondition can progress very quickly, often without symptoms, and cause permanent damage to the optic nerves, theearlier it is detected the higher is the likelihood of preventing blindness. This paper presents the findings of aresearch project, which was started as part of International Space University (ISU)'s Space Studies Program (SSP) insummer of 2011 and continued after the Program on a personal basis. The research project focused on the relevanceand importance of glaucoma and ocular tests for long-term space missions. First, data related to glaucoma in patientson Earth was researched, including types, causes and risk factors, diagnostic testing, treatments, and global statistics.Second, ocular changes that occur in the space environment were investigated, along with their impact on risk factorsfor glaucoma. Third, research was conducted on history of ocular tests for human space missions, as well as whatvisual and ocular tests are currently performed on astronauts. Fourth, case studies of ocular testing in astronauts wereinvestigated and several of the recent studies were summarized. A series of conclusions were drawn from theresearch and analysis, including whether or not current ocular testing on astronauts is adequate for long-term spacemissions. This project demonstrated the relevance of glaucoma and other ocular conditions for human spacemissions, particularly those of long-term missions, as for example outpost on the Moon or trip to Mars. It alsoprovided recommendations including further research and future considerations, including in the astronaut selectionprocess, diagnostic testing in space, and treatment options for long-term space missions.