Astronauts may suffer from visual impairment intracranial pressure following long-duration space missions, according to Jagran Josh. University of Miami Miller School of Medicine researchers presented their findings at the Radiological Society of North America annual meeting on Nov. 28, 2016, in Chicago.
Here are six things to know:
1. Two-thirds of astronauts experienced the VIIP syndrome following missions on the International Space Station.
2. The researchers discovered some astronauts suffered structural changes that were irreversible when they returned to Earth.
3. The affected astronauts experienced flattening on the back of their eyeballs as well as inflammation of their optic nerves.
4. Astronauts on long-duration missions possessed more cerebrospinal fluid in the brain.
5. The researchers concluded the eye problems were due to the changes in spinal fluid, brought on by the lack of posture-related pressure changes in space.
6. The National Aeronautics and Space Administration is researching how to avoid these visual impairments brought on by space travel.