Why Astronauts' Lower Eyelids "Let Go" in Space
A study involving multiple international research institutions has found that microgravity causes astronauts' lower eyelids to rise, a condition known as reverse ptosis. This physical change occurs rapidly during spaceflight and can potentially impact visual acuity and corneal health.
Why it matters
Understanding the physiological effects of space travel is critical for the safety and long-term health of astronauts on extended missions.
It's no secret that spending time in space takes a toll on the human body. Thanks to decades of research from spaceflight programs and the International Space Station (ISS), it is known that extended periods in microgravity lead to muscle atrophy, bone density loss, and changes in organ function, eyesight, and the central nervous system. But in a recent study , researchers examined the effects microgravity has on one specific part of human physiology: the lower eyelids.
The team consisted of researchers from the School of Medicine at Western Sydney University (WSU) in Australia, the Center for Space Medicine and Extreme Environments Berlin, the Aotearoa New Zealand National Eye Center, Otago University, and the Saarland University Medical Center in Germany. The study, titled " The effect of short-term microgravity and hypergravity on eyelid and brow position ," was published in the journal Eye & ENT Research .
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