Management of corneal injuries in spaceflight and recommendations for planetary missions

In February 1968, NASA purchased 400 antigravity ballpoint pens from the Fisher Pen Company for the Apollo Program to prevent potential harm to astronauts and equipment. Mechanical pencils previously used in microgravity posed risks like eye injuries from floating fragments penetrating the cornea. The cornea is vulnerable to abrasions, perforations, and chemical burns in such environments, affecting crewmembers aboard the International Space Station (ISS). While they undergo extensive training for emergency situations, there are inherent complexities when faced with eye injuries. In this challenging context, adapting available medications and leveraging emergency medical training is critical for addressing ocular injuries in a high-stakes environment. This paper explores ISS medications and management strategies for corneal injuries, highlighting the need to include effective medications and countermeasures in future ISS medical kits.