Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) in Microgravity

NASA is currently addressing spaceflight-induced visual impairment and intracranial pressure (VIIP) through medical operations monitoring as well as through research activities. An important component of these activities is the visualization of the crewmembers' retinas inflight. Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) allows high resolution imaging of the retinal surface, retinal nerve fiber layer thickness analysis, and other clinical and research functions including choroid thickness analysis. The Heidelberg Engineering Spectralis® OCT instrument was recently flown to the ISS with an XYZ stage that requires a large, flat surface for deployment.

The retinal camera tested in parabolic flight will benefit currently-funded NASA work on spaceflight-induced visual impairment and intracranial pressure by offering a means by which to image retinas on the ISS's crew.

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