Unity Health Toronto|Unity Health Toronto

Purpose

DISTURBED FLUID DRAINAGE AROUND EYE - AN IMPORTANT MISSING PIECE IN THE PUZZLE OF VISION LOSS IN ASTRONAUTS? Vision loss due to Space Associated Neuro-Ocular Syndrome (SANS) is observed in many astronauts, is poorly understood and remains one of the most feared hazards of space flight. The loss of gravity causes fluid shifts and these disturbances around the eye may be an important piece of the puzzle. Novel non-invasive techniques will be used to examine eye and lymphatic fluid changes for the first time in a model of SANS. Discovering impaired entry and exit of fluid in and from around the eye will be an important step toward understanding and preventing vision loss from SANS in astronauts.