Publications by authors named "Austin M Sass"
Spaceflight is known to cause ophthalmic changes in a condition known as spaceflight-associated neuro-ocular syndrome (SANS). It is hypothesized that SANS is caused by cephalad fluid shifts and potentially mild elevation of intracranial pressure (ICP) in microgravity. Head-down tilt (HDT) studies are a ground-based spaceflight analogue to create cephalad fluid shifts.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFArticle Synopsis
- The study investigates Spaceflight Associated Neuro-Ocular Syndrome (SANS), which may result from fluid shifts in space leading to changes in eye structure, specifically flattening of the posterior eye globe.
- Researchers quantified the volume displacement of the eye in 10 astronauts over a year after missions lasting about six months, with measurements taken at multiple time points.
- The results showed a significant inward flattening of the eye globe that only partially resolved after one year, providing a new automated method for accurately assessing changes related to SANS, unlike previous studies that were more subjective.
A subset of long-duration spaceflight astronauts have experienced ophthalmic abnormalities, collectively termed spaceflight-associated neuro-ocular syndrome (SANS). Little is understood about the pathophysiology of SANS; however, microgravity-induced alterations in intracranial pressure (ICP) due to headward fluid shifts is the primary hypothesized contributor. In particular, potential changes in optic nerve (ON) tortuosity and ON sheath (ONS) distension may indicate altered cerebrospinal fluid dynamics during weightlessness.
View Article and Find Full Text PDF