Optical Coherence Tomography Analysis of the Optic Nerve Head and Surrounding Structures in Long-Duration International Space Station Astronauts.

Importance: After long-duration spaceflight, morphological changes in the optic nerve head (ONH) and surrounding tissues have been reported.

Objective: To develop methods to quantify ONH and surrounding tissue changes using preflight and postflight optical coherence tomographic scans of the ONH region.

Design, Setting, And Participants: Two separate analyses were done on retrospective data, with the first comparing a preflight group with a control group, followed by preflight to postflight analysis.

Optical coherence tomography of the optic nerve head detects acute changes in intracranial pressure.

We aimed to determine if there are measurable objective changes in the optic nerve head (ONH) immediately after cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) drainage in a prospective case-series of five patients undergoing a clinically indicated lumbar puncture (LP) for diagnosis of idiopathic intracranial hypertension. A Cirrus high-definition optical coherence tomography machine (Carl Zeiss Meditec, Dublin, CA, USA) was used to acquire images in the lateral decubitus position. Optic disc cube and high-definition line raster scans centered on the ONH were obtained immediately before and after draining CSF, while the patient maintained the lateral decubitus position.

Optic disc edema in an astronaut after repeat long-duration space flight.

Background: A number of ophthalmic findings including optic disc edema, globe flattening, and choroidal folds have been observed in several astronauts after long-duration space flights. The authors report the first astronaut with previously documented postflight ophthalmic abnormalities who developed new pathological changes after a repeat long-duration mission.

Methods: A case study of an astronaut with 2 long-duration (6 months) exposures to microgravity.

Optic disc edema, globe flattening, choroidal folds, and hyperopic shifts observed in astronauts after long-duration space flight.

Purpose: To describe the history, clinical findings, and possible etiologies of ophthalmic findings discovered in 7 astronauts after long-duration space flight, and document vision changes in approximately 300 additional astronauts.

Design: Retrospective, observational examination of ophthalmic findings in 7 astronauts and analysis of postflight questionnaires regarding in-flight vision changes in approximately 300 additional astronauts.

Participants: Seven astronauts with ophthalmic anomalies upon return from long-duration space missions to the International Space Station and 300 additional astronauts who completed postflight questionnaires regarding in-flight vision changes.

Neuro-ophthalmologic complications and manifestations of upper and lower motor neuron facial paresis.

The facial nerve (cranial nerve VII) courses a long pathway beginning in the precentral gyrus and ending at the facial muscles, lacrimal and salivary glands, and structures of the inner ear. Lesions along this pathway, clinically divided into upper and lower motor neuron lesions, present with unique characteristics that assist the physician in identifying the lesion site. The sequelae particularly of peripheral CN VII palsies, may result in significant and chronic damage to the cornea that may be challenging for the physician and patient.