Biomaterial Database

Optic Disc Edema in Astronauts from a Choroidal Point of View. 2022

Peter Wostyn, and Charles R Gibson, and Thomas H Mader

INTRODUCTION: Optic disc edema has been well documented in astronauts both during and after long-duration spaceflight and is hypothesized to largely result from increased pressure within the orbital subarachnoid space brought about by a generalized rise in intracranial pressure or from sequestration of cerebrospinal fluid within the orbital subarachnoid space with locally elevated optic nerve sheath pressure. In addition, a recent prospective study documented substantial spaceflight-associated peripapillary choroidal thickening, which may be a contributing factor in spaceflight-associated neuro-ocular syndrome. In the present article, based on the above, we offer a new perspective on the pathogenesis of microgravity-induced optic disc edema from a choroidal point of view. We propose that prolonged microgravity exposure may result in the transudation of fluid from the choroidal vasculature, which, in turn, may reach the optic nerve head, and ultimately may lead to fluid stasis within the prelaminar region secondary to impaired ocular glymphatic outflow. If confirmed, this viewpoint would shed new light on the development of optic disc edema in astronauts.Wostyn P, Gibson CR, Mader TH.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D007427	Intracranial Pressure	Pressure within the cranial cavity. It is influenced by brain mass, the circulatory system, CSF dynamics, and skull rigidity.	Intracerebral Pressure,Subarachnoid Pressure,Intracerebral Pressures,Intracranial Pressures,Pressure, Intracerebral,Pressure, Intracranial,Pressure, Subarachnoid,Pressures, Intracerebral,Pressures, Intracranial,Pressures, Subarachnoid,Subarachnoid Pressures
D010211	Papilledema	Swelling of the OPTIC DISK, usually in association with increased intracranial pressure, characterized by hyperemia, blurring of the disk margins, microhemorrhages, blind spot enlargement, and engorgement of retinal veins. Chronic papilledema may cause OPTIC ATROPHY and visual loss. (Miller et al., Clinical Neuro-Ophthalmology, 4th ed, p175)	Choked Disk,Edema of the Optic Disc,Edema of the Optic Disk,Optic Disc Edema,Optic Disk Edema,Optic Papilla Edema,Papillitis, Optic,Decreased Intraocular Pressure-Associated Papilledema,Increased Intracranial Pressure-Associated Papilledema,Optic Nerve Papillitis,Papilledema Associated with Decreased Intraocular Pressure,Papilledema Associated with Increased Intracranial Pressure,Papillitis,Retinal Edema,Choked Disks,Decreased Intraocular Pressure Associated Papilledema,Disk, Choked,Edema, Optic Disc,Edema, Optic Disk,Edema, Optic Papilla,Edema, Retinal,Edemas, Optic Disc,Edemas, Optic Disk,Edemas, Retinal,Increased Intracranial Pressure Associated Papilledema,Optic Papillitis,Papillitis, Optic Nerve,Retinal Edemas
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D013026	Space Flight	Travel beyond the earth's atmosphere.	Space Exploration,Space Travel,Spaceflight,Exploration, Space,Explorations, Space,Flight, Space,Flights, Space,Space Explorations,Space Flights,Space Travels,Spaceflights,Travel, Space,Travels, Space
D014893	Weightlessness	Condition in which no acceleration, whether due to gravity or any other force, can be detected by an observer within a system. It also means the absence of weight or the absence of the force of gravity acting on a body. Microgravity, gravitational force between 0 and 10 -6 g, is included here. (From NASA Thesaurus, 1988)	Microgravity,Zero Gravity,Gravity, Zero
D018480	Astronauts	Members of spacecraft crew including those who travel in space, and those in training for space flight.	Cosmonauts,Astronaut,Cosmonaut