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OpNom: Ocular Health
Overview | Description | Applications | Operations | Results | Publications | Imagery
Experiment OverviewBrief Summary
The Prospective Observational Study of Ocular Health in ISS Crews (Ocular Health) protocol aims to systematically gather physiological data to characterize the Risk of Microgravity-Induced Visual Impairment/Intracranial Pressure on crewmembers assigned to a 6 month ISS increment. The data collected will mirror Medical Requirements Integration Documents (MRID) requirements and testing performed during annual medical exams with an increase in the frequency of in-flight and postflight testing to more accurately assess changes that occur in the visual, vascular, and central nervous systems upon exposure to microgravity and the resulting fluid shifts. Monitoring in-flight visual changes, in addition to postflight recovery, is the main focus of this protocol.
Principal Investigator(s)
Developer(s)
Johnson Space Center, Human Research Program, Houston, TX, United States
National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
Sponsoring OrganizationHuman Exploration and Operations Mission Directorate (HEOMD)
Research BenefitsInformation Pending
ISS Expedition Duration:March 2013 - September 2014
Expeditions Assigned35/36,37/38,39/40
Previous ISS MissionsInformation Pending
Experiment Description
Research Overview
The purpose of this study is to collect evidence to characterize the risk and define the visual changes and central nervous system (CNS) changes observed during a six month exposure to microgravity including postflight time course for recovery to baseline. This study will gather information that can be used to assess the risk of Microgravity-Induced Visual Impairment/Intracranial Pressure (VIIP) and guide future research needs.
1. It is expected that some crewmembers will experience meaningful and detectable in-flight changes in at least one or more of the following: clarity of vision (visual acuity), pressure inside the eyeball (intraocular pressure), swelling of the optic disc (papilledema), folds in the vascular layer of the eye (choroidal folds), optic nerve sheath distention, elongation of the optic nerve resulting from an increase in cerebrospinal fluid or CSF (optic nerve tortuosity), optic nerve-to-sheath ratio, globe flattening, and retinal "cotton-wool spots" (retinal nerve cells destroyed by lack of blood flow).
2. It is expected that some crewmembers will experience meaningful pre- to postflight changes in one or more of the following: visual acuity, intraocular pressure, optic disc edema (papilledema), retinal nerve fiber layer, choroidal folds, optic nerve sheath distention, optic nerve tortuosity, globe flattening, retinal "cotton-wool spots", smaller changes in blood volume relative to increases in blood pressure (vascular compliance), increased CSF production, signs of elevated CSF pressure (pituitary concavity), and areas of constriction within veins of the brain.
3. It is expected that if an in-flight or postflight measure deviates from preflight baseline measures, the time required to recover to baseline (preflight values) will increase with the severity of the deviation.
Description
The Ocular Health sessions will follow the current MRID requirements, but with increased frequency and will include an additional blood pressure measurement and vascular compliance testing. The following tests will be done pre-, in-, and post-flight:
Visual Acuity and Amsler Grid: Near and far visual acuity will be tested for each eye independently with and without corrective lenses using a Snellen chart located 16 inches (near) or 10 feet (far) from the subject on the wall of the laboratory. Additionally, Amsler grid testing will be administered during each testing session, for both the right and left eye. Amsler grid testing is a measure of intact vision. It is used to assess visual changes arising from insults to the central portion of the retina, principally the macula, and the optic nerve. Subjects sit at 16 inches from the grid and focus on the dot in the center of the grid while slowly bringing the grid towards the uncovered eye until one of the red ovals disappears. Any changes to the appearance of the grid (wavy, blurred or missing lines) indicate a positive for this test.
Intraocular Pressure and blood pressure: Intraocular pressure (IOP) is the fluid pressure of the aqueous humor inside the anterior chamber of the eye. Tonometry will be performed on the right and left eye using a commercial tonometer. In preparation for the measurement, 2 drops of Proparacaine will be given in each eye to anesthetize the eye. The operator will stabilize the subjects head and gently tap the tonometer tip to the clear surface of the open eye directly over the pupil to obtain the measurement. At least one operator per increment must be trained to collect data. Prior to data collection, the operator will practice on the "eye simulator" to establish operator precision and accuracy. Tonometry cannot be effectively performed on oneself, using the tonopen tonometer; therefore, if the operator also participates as a subject, a second operator must be trained. Immediately prior to tonometry, a blood pressure measurement will be obtained after 5 minutes of rest.
Ocular Ultrasound: Ocular ultrasound will be used to identify changes in globe morphology, including flattening of the posterior globe , and document optic nerve sheath diameter (ONSD), optic nerve sheath tortuosity, globe axial measurements, and choroidal engorgement. Subjects will be seated (pre and postflight) or restrained (in-flight) during testing. A sonographer or trained crewmember will position the ultrasound probe with water over the closed eyelid and collect the ultrasound images. In-flight data collection will be assisted by remote guidance to ensure proper positioning and data collection.
Fundoscopy: Direct fundoscopy will be performed on the right and left eye to obtain images of the retinal surface. Subjects will receive this exam as part of their preflight, in-flight and postflight ophthalmological assessment. Since dilation is required for fundoscopy testing, sessions will be scheduled around in-flight piloting, EVA and docking activities. All in-flight exams will be remotely guided given the current PanOptic technology. Still images and short cine clips will be recorded. Up to four additional examinations will be conducted postflight if abnormalities of the fundus persist.
Threshold Visual Field Testing: This is an eye examination that can detect dysfunction in the central and peripheral vision. The subject is asked to look at a central spot on a screen (e.g., laptop computer) and to press a button or click a mouse each time a "light flicker" appears or a line on the screen is seen to move.
Contrast Sensitivity: This test checks for the ability to differentiate between light and dark (contrast) and is an important measure of visual function. Similar to a standard visual acuity chart, a contrast sensitivity chart consists of horizontal lines of capital letters. However, instead of the letters getting smaller on each successive line, the contrast of the letters (relative to the chart background) decreases with each line.
Vascular Compliance: Vascular compliance will be calculated by dividing a subjects stroke volume derived from echocardiographic measurement, by their pulse pressure, the difference between systolic and diastolic blood pressure measured at the brachial artery. Pre- and Post-flight measurements will be made in both the supine and seated position, each preceded by 5 min of rest.
Additionally, the following tests will occur pre- and post-flight only:
Refraction Testing: Refraction is a procedure used to measure the refractive status of the eyes (i.e., to obtain a prescription for eyeglasses). This is accomplished by having the subject look through a phoropter and focus on an eye chart 20 feet away (manifest refraction). A more accurate measure of refractive error, called cycloplegic refraction, is obtained by administering eye drops to the subject to temporarily relax the focusing muscles of the eyes.
Pupil Reflexes: This test assesses the recution of pupil size in response to light and allows to testing the integrity of the neurological functions of the eye. The test operator will shine a bright light (e.g., penlight) in front of the subject's eye and watch for the pupil reaction.
Extraocular Muscle Balance: A moving target (e.g., pen) is used to track eye movements for assessing extraocular muscle function and integrity.
Optical Coherence Tomography and A-Scan (Note that A-Scan is also referred to as Optical Biometry): Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is a diagnostic imaging technique that is based on analysis of the reflection of low coherence radiation from the tissue under examination. It involves measurements of retinal thickness, volume, and retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness using a method of quantitative cross sectional analysis. The OCT software is able to identify and "trace" two key layers of the retina, the nerve fiber layer and the retinal pigment epithelium. OCT is conducted preflight and postflight to detect subtle changes in the RNFL of the optic nerve head. The OCT scans are performed in the optometrist’s office where subjects are seated with their chin on a chin rest while the device performs a scan of the eyes.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI): Pre and postflight magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) will be performed on all ISS crew. Several key parameters indicative of elevated intracranial pressure and its effects on ocular structures are measured during MRI scanning. Some of these measurements are similar to those obtained during on-orbit ultrasound which allow for comparison. Globe flattening, ONSD, ON tortuosity, optic nerve-to-sheath ratio, increased CSF production, signs of elevated CSF pressure (pituitary concavity), and areas of constriction within the veins of the brain are assessed with MRI.
Slit Lamp Biomicroscopy and High Resolution Retinal Photography: Slit lamp biomicroscopy and high resolution retinal photography are performed to evaluate and document any changes in eye structures.
Applications
Space Applications
The data collected by this project will address the following gaps in our current knowledge:
What is the etiology of visual acuity and ocular structural and functional changes seen in-flight and postflight?
By systematically measuring visual, vascular and central nervous system changes over the course of this experiment, a database could be developed to inform future in-flight research protocols, identify mechanisms, develop countermeasures, and direct clinical monitoring and clinical practice guidelines. If the conditions of microgravity are wholly or partially responsible, future exploration missions that are up to five times longer in duration than current ISS increments could be impacted.
The information obtained from this spaceflight experiment may be relevant for patients suffering from eye diseases such as glaucoma, and diseases of the brain, for example, hydrocephalus and idiopathic intracranial hypertension.
Operations
Operational Requirements
Both an operator and a subject are required for the ultrasound scans, fundoscopy, tonometry, and blood pressure, along with real-time video downlink to enable remote guidance by ground experts.
Operational ProtocolsIn-flight measures will be taken on Flight Days 10, 30, 60, 90, and 120 as well as 30 days prior to return. At each session the following measures will be performed: ocular ultrasound, fundoscopy, visual acuity, amsler grid, threshold visual field testing, contrast sensitivity, tonometry and blood pressure, cardiac ultrasound and blood pressure measurement. At Flight day 30 and 30- days prior to return the ocular ultrasound, fundoscopy, visual acuity, amsler grid, threshold visual field testing, contrast sensitivity, and tonometry measurements will be obtained via data sharing with medical operations.
Results/More Information
Information Pending
Results Publications
Ground Based Results Publications
ISS Patents
Related Publications
Marshall-Bowman K, Gibson CR, Barratt MR. Ophthalmic Changes and Increased Intracranial Pressure Associated with Long Duration Spaceflight: An Emerging Understanding. Acta Astronautica. 2013; epub. DOI: 10.1016/j.actaastro.2013.01.014.
Related Websites
Imagery
NASA Image: ISS033E018532 - Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) astronaut Akihiko Hoshide,Expedition 33 flight engineer,prepares to perform ultrasound eye imaging in the Columbus laboratory of the International Space Station. This is part of the HMS (Health Maintenance System) Tonometry payload.
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If updates are needed to the summary please contact JSC-ISS-Program-Science-Group. For other general questions regarding space station research and technology, please feel free to call our help line at 281-244-6187 or e-mail at JSC-ISS-Research-Helpline.