Cataracts & Space Exploration

Palomar · 2004-10-25 06:53:47

http://www.spacedaily.com/news/radiation-04j.html]Click

*Whoa. :-\ I've read -- in the past -- about cataracts in this setting, but not these particulars I'm sure:

"They also saw strange flashes of light inside their eyeballs!
Since then, astronauts aboard Skylab, the Shuttle, Mir, and the International Space Station have all reported seeing these flashes...what the astronauts are experiencing is space radiation zipping through their eyes like subatomic bullets. When a 'bullet' strikes the retina, it triggers a false signal that the brain interprets as a flash of light."

Says 39 (at least) former astronauts developed cataracts after going into space; some appeared 4 to 5 years post-mission, others 10 years or longer.

They're studying the link between radiation and the development of cataracts.

--Cindy

SpaceNut · 2004-10-25 07:29:13

It appears that we did not need to go to space to find out that fact about high volocity radiation but limiting the affects of it on any crew is a must for long duration missions with a greater potential of seeing more than a few days worth.

SpaceNut · 2004-10-26 21:28:27

Paving the way for pioneers Ming Zhang's cosmic radiation research takes first step in missions to Mars, moon base

With more than $1 million in NASA funding, Zhang is researching cosmic and energetic solar radiation, seeking how the two space weather components affect human beings, both as space travelers and as the end-user of satellite technology.

As American space exploration fulfills promises for a new era of long-term moon colonization and a mission to Mars, the research of Florida Institute of Technology space physicist Ming Zhang will become more important to the lives of each and every astronaut. While his research on cosmic radiation has its roots in pure science, the practical applications of what he has learned about space weather are matters of life and death.
We know that solar activity modulates cosmic rays, even to the far boundary of the solar system," Rassoul said. "Indeed, using recent observations from NASA's old work horses, the Voyager 1 and 2 spacecraft, Zhang and Ball found that the intensity of cosmic rays at ~90 AU is still strongly modulated by solar activity. What we are trying to understand is how these changes occur, and what they mean for us and our space investments.

Shaun Barrett · 2004-10-27 07:57:58

Hmmm. I didn't see this thread until just now.
I've heard there's a new kind of intra-ocular lens implant on its way. In maybe 5 years, cataractous lenses will be replaced with an injected liquid polymer, which sets to become a flexible solid with the same refractive index as natural lens material. Current indications are that it will give the recipient about 6 to 8 dioptres of accommodation (focus), which is apparently ample for most near vision requirements.
Extrapolating from there, it's not hard to imagine everyone having the procedure done routinely at, say, age 45. This would eliminate the need for reading glasses and preclude the possibility of age-related cataracts .. permanently.
It may become 'de rigueur' for all astronauts - especially those due to leave on long duration planetary missions.

Palomar · 2004-11-13 07:36:09

http://www.spacedaily.com/news/spacemed … ml]Another ophthalmology-related article

*Dr. Wolfgang Fink, ophthalmology and neurosurgery, two free public lectures. Mentions prostheses, ophthalmological health concerns in space as well as on Earth, etc.

--Cindy

SpaceNut · 2005-02-16 08:35:31

Short article: NASA Awards Grant to Study Cancer Risks From Space Radiation

NASA awarded a research grant worth
more than $9.8 million over five-years to the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas.
The central focus of the study entitled, "Lung Cancer Pathogenesis and HZE Particle Exposure," will be to identify solid tumor cancer risks from space radiation. Data will be collected from animal models and tissues at the
cellular and molecular level, with special emphasis on extrapolating the collected knowledge to humans.

SpaceNut · 2015-10-31 21:46:41

Fix another shifting topic before posting to it....

We have been talking about space radiation and exposure for sometime now but where are we with the research?
BioShield4Mars grant
Funding Opportunity Seeks Countermeasures that Can Address the #1 Risk to Humans in Space

Small U.S.-based companies developing countermeasures to protect healthy tissue from the effects of radiation exposures may be eligible for a unique funding opportunity offered through the National Space Biomedical Research Institute.

Physical or magnetic shielding from space radiation, particularly protecting against high energy galactic cosmic rays (GCR) and sudden solar particle events (SPEs), is not currently feasible. Hence, the development and validation of biological countermeasures are required to protect astronauts against the adverse effects of ionizing radiation during long-duration space travel. Ionizing radiation affects a plurality of organ systems. It is highly unlikely that one countermeasure will address all facets of radiation toxicity. Hence, applicants should focus on certain tissue-specific effects. Of particular interest are foods, pharmaceuticals, drinks or nutraceuticals that protect the gastrointestinal tract, the brain, the lung, the heart, and the immune and hematopoietic systems from insults due to radiation and other environmental influences.

GW Johnson · 2015-11-02 09:23:46

I'm sort of surprised to see in the justifying claim the statement that there is no shielding against solar particle events. That is directly contradicted by NASA's own data suggesting 20 cm of water will reduce even the max event (Aug 1972) to something like a 2.5 rem exposure. GCR yes, SPE no: it can be shielded quite easily.

GW

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#1 2004-10-25 06:53:47

Re: Cataracts & Space Exploration

#2 2004-10-25 07:29:13

Re: Cataracts & Space Exploration

#3 2004-10-26 21:28:27

Re: Cataracts & Space Exploration

#4 2004-10-27 07:57:58

Re: Cataracts & Space Exploration

#5 2004-11-13 07:36:09

Re: Cataracts & Space Exploration

#6 2005-02-16 08:35:31

Re: Cataracts & Space Exploration

#7 2015-10-31 21:46:41

Re: Cataracts & Space Exploration

#8 2015-11-02 09:23:46

Re: Cataracts & Space Exploration

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