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Jessica Vos (left, NASA) floats to the ceiling and Roman Kowalchuk (right, Duke University) poses after taking measurements of corneal deformation characteristics in microgravity. Photo: NASA

Roman Kowalchuk (Duke University) uses Tonometer OCULUS Corvis® ST to take corneal deformation measurements during a microgravity session. Photo: NASA

At Program Start (May 30, 2014) – 10 science teams from around the nation at Ellington Field, Houston, Texas, for the Reduced Gravity Education Flight Program. The OCULUS Corvis® ST will be present at two flights into microgravity. Photo: NASA

24 Jul 2014

OCULUS Corvis® ST in microgravity

NASA made successful use of the Corvis® ST high-speed Scheimpflug camera during two parabolic flights on 5th and 6th June in Houston, Texas, USA. The OCULUS device examined the effect of microgravity on intraocular pressure and the biomechanics of the eyeball. This NASA-funded project constitutes a first step towards exploring reasons for loss of visual acuity in outer space; understanding what causes this loss is crucial to finding a solution to the problem.

For some time now it is a known fact that persons who spend prolonged periods of time in outer space experience a reduction of visual acuity. This is presumably caused by a redistribution of body fluids in microgravity. NASA researchers hypothesize that this might possibly change intraocular pressure and ultimately also the geometry and tension of the eyeball. Should this be the case, the long-term result would be damage to the visual nerve and loss of vision.

The OCULUS Corvis® ST is an ideal tool for analysing changes in the eye. Using an air puff the Corvis® ST induces corneal vibrations. The vibration behaviour of the cornea is recorded and analysed using a high-speed Scheimpflug camera which makes it possible to infer detailed data on intraoculuar pressure and the biomechanics of the eyeball.

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