Ophthalmic Changes in Astronauts: A Current Understanding

This paper provides a brief review of the literature on ophthalmic abnormalities commonly experienced by astronauts, and introduces issues that they present for future spaceflight. Together known as the Spaceflight-Associated Neuro-Ocular Syndrome (SANS), these changes in ocular structure and visual function have been widely reported in astronauts both during and following long-duration spaceflights. With several such spaceflights planned for the near future, extensive research is taking place to further understand the aetiologies of SANS so that ophthalmic complications in astronauts may be mitigated.