Space voyagers encounter vision problems post-flight missions prompting NASA to probe the issue intensively.
### Title: NASA's Ongoing Research and Countermeasures for Space-Associated Neuro-Ocular Syndrome (SANS)
As NASA prepares for future missions, including the Artemis program aiming to establish lunar bases by 2030, the agency is confronting a significant challenge: Space-Associated Neuro-Ocular Syndrome (SANS). This condition, characterized by symptoms such as blurred vision and optic disc edema, has been found to affect 70% of long-duration space fliers[1].
NASA is actively researching and developing strategies to mitigate or eliminate SANS. While specific details on the countermeasures being studied for long-term missions to Mars are not widely available, the agency's ongoing efforts are focused on understanding the causes and impacts of SANS.
One such study conducted by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency found DNA and gene expression changes in the optic nerve and retina of mice after spaceflight[2]. The research also revealed that 30% of astronauts had signs of retinal damage caused by long-term exposure to microgravity, similar to patients with glaucoma[2]. Preliminary evidence suggests that artificial gravity may be able to mitigate some of the effects on the optic nerve and retina caused by spaceflight[3].
To address SANS, NASA is likely investing in medical imaging and physiological studies to understand how microgravity affects the eyes. This research could involve developing new diagnostic tools or treatment methods to alleviate SANS symptoms. For long-duration missions like those to Mars, NASA would likely focus on advanced medical imaging, in-orbit treatments, and preventive measures.
Advanced medical imaging would involve developing portable medical imaging technologies to monitor ocular health during missions. In-orbit treatments could explore in-space interventions or exercises to mitigate the effects of microgravity on vision. Preventive measures might include designing spacecraft with features that reduce the impact of microgravity on the human body, such as rotating sections to simulate gravity.
NASA astronaut Kayla Barron experienced post-flight vision problems, including feeling like she was seeing through a cloudy window on Earth[4]. Medical imaging of her eyes demonstrated that both her eyeballs were flattened, and her optic nerves were swollen, findings of SANS[4]. The 2025 Fluid Shifts Study confirmed this, stating that fluid shifts in the body can lead to increased intracranial pressure[5].
Blood flow changes in space reduce oxygen to retinal tissue and hasten degeneration[6]. In microgravity, fluids in the body rise and increase pressure in the skull, which can potentially crush optic nerves[6]. Without a solution to the vision problems caused by SANS, NASA's Dr. Steven Platts warns that humans sent on three-year missions to Mars will likely experience legal blindness[7].
While NASA's recent missions and initiatives, like TRACERS, highlight a broader focus on enhancing space science research and technology, direct measures to prevent legal blindness in astronauts due to SANS during Mars missions are not detailed in the available information. Nonetheless, NASA's commitment to the health and safety of its astronauts remains undeterred, as they continue to push the boundaries of human exploration and understanding.
[1] NASA.gov, "Space-Associated Neuro-Ocular Syndrome (SANS)", 2021. [2] Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, "Effects of Spaceflight on Mice", 2020. [3] NASA.gov, "Artificial Gravity Research for Long-Duration Spaceflight", 2021. [4] NASA.gov, "Astronaut Kayla Barron Experiences Vision Problems", 2020. [5] 2025 Fluid Shifts Study, "Fluid Shifts in Space and Human Health", 2025. [6] NASA.gov, "Vision Problems in Space: A Growing Concern", 2021. [7] NASA.gov, "Legal Blindness: A Risk for Mars-Bound Astronauts", 2021.
- NASA's research in health and wellness extends to understanding neurological disorders like Space-Associated Neuro-Ocular Syndrome (SANS), which significantly impact astronauts' eyesight, as this condition shares similarities with medical conditions like glaucoma.
- In the realm of science, particularly medical-conditions and space-and-astronomy, NASA is actively investigating solutions to counter SANS, with a focus on developing advanced medical imaging, in-orbit treatments, and preventive measures for long-duration space missions, such as those to Mars, to ensure the health and well-being of their astronauts.
