Space travel: A challenge from the point of view of ophthalmology

ABSTRACT At the end of the twentieth century, with the emergence of new technologies and new space programs, aerospace medicine gained prominence in the scientific community since studies related to changes in human physiology in space have become increasingly necessary for the maintenance of cosmonaut health. The eyes are considered one of the most sensitive structures in the body to vascular, structural and biochemical changes caused by microgravity and cosmic radiation. In this sense, this narrative review seeks to identify and explain the main morphological and functional changes that occur in the visual system as a result of space missions.