Mission to Mars may require astronauts to wear swimming goggles



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SAccording to a new study, goggles could be used to protect the eyes of astronauts during long missions.

Experiments conducted by NASA scientists revealed that goggles protected vision by increasing fluid pressure in the eyes.

It has been noted that astronauts on long-term missions to the International Space Station undergo eye changes that last for years.

Known medically as intraocular pressure (IOP), the phenomenon can cause a host of symptoms, including "cotton spots" – fluffy white spots on the retina – and swelling of the optic nerve.

Up to 75% of astronauts develop neuro-ocular changes, including a decrease in visual sharpness.

The effects of microgravity on the circulatory system have been implicated, including changes in body fluids and increased pressure on the brain.

The new discoveries were based on 20 men from NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston, including ten wearing swimming goggles and the others wearing free glasses.

Three days in a row, they finished the exercises on the back and bent their heads first, to simulate the effect of physical activity in the space.

Dr. Jessica Scott, of the Universities Space Research Association in Houston, said: "Swimming goggles firmly compress the skin around the eyes."

"These findings suggest a slight increase in intraocular pressure with swimming goggles that could be used to alleviate the neuro-ocular syndrome associated with spaceflight.

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