Müller cells are activated in response to retinal outer nuclear layer degeneration in rats subjected to simulated weightlessness conditions.

JOURNAL/nrgr/04.03/01300535-202507000-00032/figure1/v/2024-09-09T124005Z/r/image-tiff A microgravity environment has been shown to cause ocular damage and affect visual acuity, but the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Therefore, we established an animal model of weightlessness via tail suspension to examine the pathological changes and molecular mechanisms of retinal damage under microgravity.

Choroidal circulation disturbance is an initial factor in outer retinal degeneration in rats under simulated weightlessness.

Microgravity contributes to ocular injury yet the underlying mechanism remains unclear. This study aims to elucidate the mechanism behind choroidal circulation disorder and outer retinal degeneration in rats with simulated weightlessness. Optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) was used to evaluate choroidal circulation and retinal morphological alterations in rats with weightlessness simulation.