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Space radiation and the potential for early cataract development

Eye volume 38, pages 416–417 (2024)Cite this article

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When lens epithielial cells are exposed to ionizing radiation, increased proliferation rates have also been seen [1]. This phenotypic change is likely due to the altered expression of cellular growth genes after radiation exposure, which include alterations to: fibroblast growth factor 2, CDKNA1A, transforming growth factor beta and matrix metalloproteases [2]. Following this process, these radiation-damaged lens epithelial cells are believed to migrate to the posterior portion of the lens leading to opacification. Further research is required to determine if reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation is also involved in the coagulation of lens proteins [3]. Visual changes during cataract development occur gradually and are difficult to detect. Three main types of cataract exist: posterior subcapsular, cortical and nuclear. Nuclear cataracts are the most common type of cataract seen in aging, and develop in the center of the lens. In contrast, posterior subcapsular cataracts are the most common type associated with exposure to ionizing radiation, and form at the back of the lens [4]. Further research is required to further understand the effects of low dose radiation on the eye, as many of the previous studies involved high dosages of ionizing radation.

Currently during spaceflight, astronaut visual assement includes: a self-reported survey, visual acuity testing, and an Amsler grid [5]. As the duration of space missions increases, astronauts will be exposed to the risks of LDSF for longer, including increased levels of radiation and microgravity. More frequent visual testing as well as the addition of other tests such as contrast sensitivity would be useful to help detect the subtle visual changes that occur during the initial developmental period of a cataract. The addition of dynamic visual acuity testing in spaceflight would also be particularly useful as spaceflight is a rapidly changing environment [6].

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Ophthalmology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom

    Ethan Waisberg

  2. Michigan Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA

    Joshua Ong

  3. Center for Space Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA

    Andrew G. Lee

  4. Department of Ophthalmology, Blanton Eye Institute, Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston, TX, USA

    Andrew G. Lee

  5. The Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston, TX, USA

    Andrew G. Lee

  6. Departments of Ophthalmology, Neurology, and Neurosurgery, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA

    Andrew G. Lee

  7. Department of Ophthalmology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA

    Andrew G. Lee

  8. University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA

    Andrew G. Lee

  9. Texas A&M College of Medicine, Bryan, TX, USA

    Andrew G. Lee

  10. Department of Ophthalmology, The University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Iowa City, IA, USA

    Andrew G. Lee

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  1. Ethan Waisberg
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Contributions

EW—Conceptualization, writing. JO—Conceptualization, Writing. AGL—Review, intellectual support.

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Correspondence to Ethan Waisberg.

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Waisberg, E., Ong, J. & Lee, A.G. Space radiation and the potential for early cataract development. Eye 38, 416–417 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41433-023-02742-2

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