NASA initiates study of astronauts' visual acuity at International Space Station - He

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NASA initiates study of astronauts' visual acuity at International Space Station [SIZE=-1]Healio[/SIZE] [SIZE=-1]The chart was invented by Oklahoma optometrists Dan Bintz, OD, and Jerry Carter, OD, according to the release. This is the first experiment to investigate microgravity-induced visual impairment/intracranial pressure or VIIP syndrome. According to NASA ...[/SIZE] [SIZE=-1][/SIZE] [SIZE=-1]and more »[/SIZE]

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[Alan Grover OD]

That's cool
Dr. Carter was one of my check-out docs in O-School at NSUOCO! Good for them.

Acuity Pro is a very nice program. We used it in the school clinics.

 

[Jeff Guthrie]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IKVjUCN0YPw

 

[Michael Barris]

Biomech Model Mechanobiol. 2016 May 28. [Epub ahead of print]
Characterization of the mechanical behavior of the optic nerve sheath and its role in spaceflight-induced ophthalmic changes.
Raykin J1, Forte TE1, Wang R1, Feola A1, Samuels BC2, Myers JG3, Mulugeta L4, Nelson ES3, Gleason RL1,5, Ethier CR6,7.
Author information

• 1Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology and Emory University, 315 Ferst Dr. NW, Atlanta, GA, 30332, USA.
• 2Department of Ophthalmology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA.
• 3NASA Glenn Research Center, Cleveland, OH, USA.
• 4Universities Space Research Association, Houston, TX, USA.
• 5George W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, USA.
• 6Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology and Emory University, 315 Ferst Dr. NW, Atlanta, GA, 30332, USA. ross.ethier@bme.gatech.edu.
• 7George W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, USA. ross.ethier@bme.gatech.edu.

Abstract
Visual impairment and intracranial pressure (VIIP) syndrome is characterized by a number of permanent ophthalmic changes, including loss of visual function. It occurs in some astronauts during long-duration spaceflight missions. Thus, understanding the pathophysiology of VIIP is currently a major priority in space medicine research. It is hypothesized that maladaptive remodeling of the optic nerve sheath (ONS), in response to microgravity-induced elevations in intracranial pressure (ICP), contributes to VIIP. However, little is known about ONS biomechanics. In this study, we developed a custom mechanical testing system that allowed for unconfined lengthening, twisting, and circumferential distension of the porcine ONS during inflation and axial loading. Data were fit to a four-fiber family constitutive equation to extract material and structural parameters. Inflation testing showed a characteristic "cross-over point" in the pressure-diameter curves under different axial loads in all samples that were tested; the cross-over pressure was [Formula: see text] mmHg ([Formula: see text]). Large sample-to-sample variations were observed in the circumferential strain, while only modest variations were observed in the circumferential stress. Multiphoton microscopy revealed that the collagen fibers of the ONS were primarily oriented axially when the tissue was loaded. The existence of this cross-over behavior is expected to be neuroprotective, as it would avoid optic nerve compression during routine changes in gaze angle, so long as ICP was within the normal range. Including these observations into computational models of VIIP will help provide insight into the pathophysiology of VIIP and could help identify risk factors and potential interventions.

Love, S. The mysterious syndrome impairing astronauts' sight. Washington Post, 10 July 2016.

 

[Greg Gemoules]

Yes, well NASA has also taken a motion perimetry test to the space station designed by a long time patient of mine. In fact, I have a copy of it on this computer.

 

[Lloyd Pate]

Yes, well NASA has also taken a motion perimetry test to the space station designed by a long time patient of mine. In fact, I have a copy of it on this computer.

The also have an OCT on the space station.