The case for anterior segment optical coherence tomography (AS-OCT) for the international space station and future planetary spaceflight: Clinical relevance and technical implementation.

Spaceflight presents unique challenges to ocular health which must be addressed when considering future long-term missions to Mars and beyond, specifically with increased risk to the anterior segment of the eye. While the posterior segment has been heavily researched via examinations with Heidelberg's Spectralis Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT)2 Module aboard the International Space Station (ISS), evaluation of the anterior segment is not as extensively performed. Despite the capabilities of the Spectralis, which allows for anterior segment imaging via the Anterior Segment Module (ASM), transforming the OCT into an Anterior Segment OCT (AS-OCT), there is limited information available regarding anterior segment effects due to microgravity and spaceflight.

Leveraging lower body negative pressure for enhanced outcomes in orthopedic arthroplasty-Insights from NASA's bone health research.

Exposure to microgravity causes rapid bone loss and muscle atrophy, posing serious challenges for long-duration spaceflight. In response, NASA developed countermeasures such as Lower Body Negative Pressure (LBNP) to simulate gravitational loading on astronauts' lower extremities. LBNP, often combined with exercise, has proven effective in mitigating musculoskeletal degradation during bed rest analogs.

The ocular surface during spaceflight: Post-mission symptom report, extraterrestrial risks, and in-flight therapeutics.

Ocular health is critical for overall astronaut health requirements given its essential role for mission performance and safety. The ocular surface is a vital structure to the visual system and is essential for ocular protection and the refraction of light for focused vision. Data from the 2024 NASA Lifetime Surveillance of Astronaut Health identified that Space Shuttle and International Space Station (ISS) astronauts (N = 257) queried during post-flight eye exams reported symptoms of eye irritation (34 %), dry eyes (14 %), and foreign body sensation (21 %).

Tear Film and Keratitis in Space: Fluid Dynamics and Nanomedicine Strategies for Ocular Protection in Microgravity.

Spaceflight-associated dry eye syndrome (SADES) has been reported among astronauts during both International Space Station (ISS) and Space Transportation System (STS) missions. As future missions extend beyond low Earth orbit, the physiological challenges of spaceflight include microgravity, radiation, and environmental stressors, which may further exacerbate the development of ocular surface disease. A deeper understanding of the underlying pathophysiology, along with the exploration of innovative countermeasures, is critical.

Air pollution, including PM, as a potential risk factor for the development of appendicitis in Korea: a case-crossover study.

Interest in the association between particulate air pollution and appendicitis risk has been increasing in recent years, and previous studies have suggested a link between particulate matter ≤10 μm in diameter (PM) and appendicitis. However, robust evidence is currently lacking. This study explored the association between short-term PM exposure and appendicitis using data from Ewha Womans University Mokdong Hospital, Seoul, Korea, between January 1, 2001 and December 31, 2018.

Corneal Edema and the Endothelium in Spaceflight.

Introduction: With future manned missions that extend beyond low Earth orbit, it would be wise to anticipate all risks to astronaut health, including those relevant to ophthalmology and the ocular surface. Corneal edema has been documented among mice experiments conducted onboard the Space Transportation System mission, STS-133, owing to increased stress response gene expression.

Methods: A targeted, relevant search of the literature on topics relating to ocular surface and spaceflight was conducted with scholarly databases PubMed, Web of Science, and Embase from inception to July 2024.

Advanced ocular drug delivery in microgravity: Nanotherapeutic applications as cardiovascular and ophthalmic countermeasures.

Extended space missions significantly affect astronaut health, leading to various systemic and ocular conditions. The ocular surface and cardiovascular system are particularly susceptible to the unique environment within the spacecraft. This can often lead to pathologic issues such as radiation-induced accelerated atherosclerosis (RIAA), spaceflight-associated neuro-ocular syndrome (SANS) and spaceflight-associated dry eye syndrome (SADES).

Prediction of Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF) Pressure with Generative Adversarial Network Synthetic Plasma-CSF Biomarker Pairing.

Non-invasive intracranial pressure (ICP) monitoring can help clinicians safely and efficiently monitor spaceflight-associated neuro-ocular syndrome (SANS), idiopathic intracranial hypertension, and traumatic brain injury in astronauts. Current invasive ICP measurement techniques are unsuitable for austere environments like spaceflight. In this study, we explore the potential of plasma-derived cell-free RNA (cfRNA) biomarkers as non-invasive alternatives to cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) markers for ICP assessment.

Defining spaceflight associated dry eye syndrome (SADES): Mechanisms, complications, and countermeasures.

There is a high prevalence of dry eye-related symptoms among astronauts during spaceflight. We propose naming this phenomenon: Spaceflight Associated Dry Eye Syndrome (SADES). In this study, we review the potential mechanisms of dry eye in the spaceflight environment, categorizing them into external (radiation, environmental hazards) and microgravity-related (meibum outflow) mechanisms.

Patient Satisfaction in Ophthalmology: The Impact of Remote Scribes.

To determine whether remote scribing is associated with patient satisfaction. Physicians were included based on predetermined criteria. For all physicians, Net Promoter Score response data were collected for 3 consecutive months immediately before and 6 months after the transition to remote scribes.

Risk of Permanent Corneal Injury in Microgravity: Spaceflight-Associated Hazards, Challenges to Vision Restoration, and Role of Biotechnology in Long-Term Planetary Missions.

Human space exploration presents an unparalleled opportunity to study life in extreme environments-but it also exposes astronauts to physiological stressors that jeopardize key systems like vision. Corneal health, essential for maintaining precise visual acuity, is threatened by microgravity-induced fluid shifts, cosmic radiation, and the confined nature of spacecraft living environments. These conditions elevate the risk of corneal abrasions, infections, and structural damage.

Potential Risks of Ocular Molecular and Cellular Changes in Spaceflight.

Purpose: Many fundamental cellular and molecular changes are known to occur in biological systems during spaceflight, including oxidative stress, DNA damage, mitochondrial damage, epigenetic factors, telomere lengthening, and microbial shifts. We can apply the consequences of these molecular changes in ocular cells, such as the retinal ganglion cells and corneal epithelium, to identify ophthalmologic risks during spaceflight. This review aims to discuss the potential molecular changes in greater detail and apply the principles to ocular cells and ophthalmic disease risk in astronauts.

Cornea Oculomics: A Clinical Blueprint for Extending Corneal Diagnostics and Artificial Intelligence in Systemic Health Insights.

Oculomics is an emerging field that leverages ophthalmic imaging data to identify biomarkers of systemic disease, facilitating early diagnosis and risk stratification. Despite its growing recognition, gaps remain in the literature regarding the clinical applications of oculomics. Various systemic diseases-including metabolic disorders (e.

Applications of Machine Learning-Driven Molecular Models for Advancing Ophthalmic Precision Medicine.

Ophthalmic diseases such as glaucoma, age-related macular degeneration (ARMD), and optic neuritis involve complex molecular and cellular disruptions that challenge current diagnostic and therapeutic approaches. Advanced artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) models offer a novel lens to analyze these diseases by integrating diverse datasets, identifying patterns, and enabling precision medicine strategies. Over the past decade, applications of AI in ophthalmology have expanded from imaging-based diagnostics to molecular-level modeling, bridging critical gaps in understanding disease mechanisms.

Delayed Sensory Exotropia With Retained Metallic Intraorbital Foreign Body.

This report describes the longest case of a retained metallic intraorbital foreign body with no complications and development of delayed sensory exotropia following traumatic sclopetaria in childhood. A 9-year-old girl suffered a BB gun injury to the left eye, leading to chorioretinitis sclopetaria and loss of vision. The visual acuity was 20/800 with a relative afferent pupillary defect and choroidal rupture with subretinal hemorrhage that evolved to sclopetaria over time.

Non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy secondary to idiopathic intracranial hypertension.

Purpose: Patients with increased intracranial pressure and underlying hypertensive emergency may present with optic disc edema. Papilledema in this setting may be a predisposing risk factor for superimposed non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION). We highlight the role of neuroimaging including diffusion-weighted imaging in magnetic resonance imaging that can help to differentiate visual loss from NAION versus papilledema in fulminant IIH with and without hypertension.