Language
English
Publication Date
8-1-2025
Journal
Life Sciences in Space Research
DOI
10.1016/j.lssr.2025.03.001
PMID
40774730
PMCID
PMC12332269
PubMedCentral® Posted Date
3-5-2025
PubMedCentral® Full Text Version
Author MSS
Abstract
Parabolic flight serves as an important terrestrial analog to study acute physiological changes in microgravity without the need for space travel. During a parabolic flight, alternating hypergravity and microgravity phases, lasting up to 40 seconds, enable research into ophthalmic changes. In this review, we discuss the application of parabolic flight as a platform to study microgravity-related changes that might impact ophthalmology including intraocular pressure, intracranial pressure, choroidal blood flow, and modified eye movement patterns. We further highlight how these insights could aid our understanding of vestibulo-ocular reflexes and conditions such as Spaceflight Associated Neuro-ocular Syndrome (SANS). While the brief duration of microgravity exposure limits some applications, parabolic flight continues to provide a controlled environment for examining acute gravitational effects on eye health and evaluating many space medicine interventions.
Keywords
Humans, Weightlessness, Space Flight, Intraocular Pressure, Eye Movements, Weightlessness Simulation, Intracranial Pressure, Eye, Reflex, Vestibulo-Ocular, Hypergravity
Published Open-Access
yes
Recommended Citation
Nguyen, Tuan; Ong, Joshua; Aman, Sarah; et al., "Parabolic Flight as a Research Platform To Investigate Ophthalmic Changes in Microgravity" (2025). Faculty, Staff and Students Publications. 6530.
https://digitalcommons.library.tmc.edu/baylor_docs/6530