Biomechanical Factors in Space Flight-Associated Neuro-Ocular Syndrome
Wang Xiaofei1,2,3#, Liu Tingting1,2,3, Fan Yubo1,2,3#*
1(Key Laboratory for Biomechanics and Mechanobiology of Ministry of Education, Beijing 100083, China) 2(Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Biomedical Engineering, Beijing 100083, China) 3(School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, Beihang University, Beijing 100083, China)
Abstract Long duration space flight can induce structural changes of eye and corresponding vision loss, which is defined as space flight-associated neuro-ocular syndrome (SANS). SANS is the main problem of eye for future human space exploration. Up to date, mechanisms of SANS are still unknown, which impedes the development of countermeasures and the selection criteria of astronauts. SANS is correlated with optic nerve subarachnoid space cerebrospinal fluid pressure elevation in microgravity environments. However, knowledge on the detailed response of eyes to elevated pressure and its corresponding countermeasures is lack. This paper summarized the morphological changes of the optic disc, posterior segment of the eye, subarachnoid space and optic nerve caused by SANS. Next, the pathogenesis of SANS proposed in the literature, the factors affecting the susceptibility of SANS and the countermeasures were reviewed and the relationship between SANS and the optic nerve subarachnoid space cerebrospinal fluid pressure in microgravity environment was summarized. At last, we discussed how to effectively combine ground-based and space-based experiments to explore the pathogenesis of SANS.
Wang Xiaofei,Liu Tingting,Fan Yubo. Biomechanical Factors in Space Flight-Associated Neuro-Ocular Syndrome[J]. Chinese Journal of Biomedical Engineering, 2022, 41(4): 493-501.
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