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PERSPECTIVE article

Front. Ophthalmol.
Sec. Neuro-Ophthalmology Disorders
Volume 4 - 2024 | doi: 10.3389/fopht.2024.1487992
This article is part of the Research Topic Space Ophthalmology: Assessment, Treatment and Mitigation of Spaceflight Associated Neuroocular Syndrome (SANS) View all 3 articles

Spaceflight Associated Neuro-ocular Syndrome: Connections with Terrestrial Eye and Brain Disorders

Provisionally accepted
Brenna Joe Brenna Joe *
  • Five Branches University, Santa Cruz, United States

The final, formatted version of the article will be published soon.

    Spaceflight Associated Neuro-ocular Syndrome (SANS) is a series of findings found in astronauts who have experienced long-duration spaceflight. It is characterized by neuro-ocular changes that may irreversibly alter vision and increase the risk for the development of terrestrial eye and brain disorders. Theories regarding its etiology and countermeasures to combat the findings seen continue to evolve. There is currently no direct treatment for SANS. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) modalities have been used to treat eye and brain disorders on Earth that are pathogenically similar to SANS, therefore, TCM may be able to target corresponding pathology in astronauts, prevent and mitigate SANS findings, and decrease the risk for future development of disorders. This paper intends to discuss pathological similarities between SANS and terrestrial eye and brain disorders and how TCM has been used to treat those disorders.

    Keywords: Spaceflight Associated Neuro-ocular Syndrome, Traditional Chinese Medicine, Countermeasure, microgravity, pathophysiology, Astronaut

    Received: 29 Aug 2024; Accepted: 30 Sep 2024.

    Copyright: © 2024 Joe. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) or licensor are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.

    * Correspondence: Brenna Joe, Five Branches University, Santa Cruz, United States

    Disclaimer: All claims expressed in this article are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of their affiliated organizations, or those of the publisher, the editors and the reviewers. Any product that may be evaluated in this article or claim that may be made by its manufacturer is not guaranteed or endorsed by the publisher.