Mice in Space Lose Good Eyesight

Being in space is no walk in the park. It has always been considered that astronauts suffer for their exposure to hostile conditions present in outer space and are prone to a number of diseases when they return back to planet earth. Now in a study conducted on mice one more ill effect has been confirmed.

Within two weeks of being in orbit mice researchers at the Houston Methodist, NASA Johnson Space Center, found that mice saw profound changes in eye structure and gene expression. As per pathologist Patricia Chévez-Barrios they found many changes in the expression of genes that help cells cope with oxidative stress in the retina, possibly caused by radiation exposure.

While the researcher said that these changes were partially reversible upon return to Earth, it is undeniable that human eyes would be affected as well. This was also confirmed by a NASA-sponsored Ophthalmology study of seven astronauts showed that all seven had experienced eye problems after spending at least six months in space.

It seems that the Earth’s atmosphere is a much better filter and protector against radiation than the metal hulls and shells of space craft. Ironic, but true and proved now by scientific evidence based on these interesting science projects.