Spaceflight associated dry eye syndrome (SADES): Radiation, stressors, and ocular surface health

Ryung Lee, Joshua Ong, Ethan Waisberg, Andrew G. Lee

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

1 Scopus citations

Abstract

Crewed spaceflight missions require careful scrutinization of the health risks including alterations to the tear film lipid layer in astronauts. We review the current literature and prior published work on tear film lipid layer biophysics and secondary spaceflight-associated dry eye syndrome (SADES). We define the term spaceflight-associated dry eye syndrome to describe the collection of ocular surface signs and symptoms experienced by astronauts during spaceflight. Our review covers the ocular surface and lipidomics in the spaceflight environment. From our literature review, we extrapolate biophysical principles governing the tear film layer to determine the changes that may arise from the harsh conditions of spaceflight and microgravity. Our findings provide vital information for future long-duration spaceflight, including a return to the Moon and potential missions to Mars.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)75-81
Number of pages7
JournalLife Sciences in Space Research
Volume43
DOIs
StatePublished - Nov 2024

Keywords

  • Cornea
  • Lipidomics
  • Microgravity
  • Ocular surface
  • Tear film

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Radiation
  • Ecology
  • Astronomy and Astrophysics
  • Agricultural and Biological Sciences (miscellaneous)
  • Health, Toxicology and Mutagenesis

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Spaceflight associated dry eye syndrome (SADES): Radiation, stressors, and ocular surface health'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this