POTENTIAL OPHTHALMOLOGICAL PROBLEMS DURING PLANNED CREWED MISSIONS TO MARS

The three unmanned rover missions to Mars carried out in 2021 have raised expectations for manned flights to this planet. However, recently published reports and a NASA report indicate that changes in the during these flights may be one of the most important factors limiting their conduct. The purpose of this presentation is to discuss ocular changes that occur during long-term space missions. During flights, astronauts often experience disc swelling, the development of retinal and choroidal folds, focal retinal ischemia, flattening of the eyeball and hyperopia, which may cause temporary and permanent visual disturbances during the flight as well as after returning to the Earth. Conducting long-term space flights will be possible after developing methods that will allow elimination of the negative effects of microgravity on the human body, including the vision system.