TrustPilot
TrustPilot
  • Phone 01494 307 345
  • PhoneOnline Chat
Glasses From £9 Including Prescription Lenses
  • Glasses
    Glasses
    • All Glasses
    • Women's Glasses
    • Men's Glasses
    • Cheap Glasses
    • On Sale
    Feature
    • Shop by Colour
    • Transitions
    • Next Day Glasses
    • Ray Ban Ray Ban
    • Oakley Oakley
    Frame Shape
    Wayfarer
    Wayfarer
    Rectangle
    Rectangle
    Aviator
    Aviator
    Cat Eye
    Cat Eye
    Hexagon
    Geometric
    Square
    Square
    Round
    Round
    Oval
    Oval
    Browline
    Clubmaster
    Blue Light Glasses
    Blue Light Glasses
    Varifocal Glasses
    Varifocal Glasses
    Premium Brands
    Premium Brands
  • Sunglasses
    Sunglasses
    • All Sunglasses
    • Women's Sunglasses
    • Men's Sunglasses
    • Prescription Sunglasses
    • On Sale
    Feature
    • Polarised Sunglasses
    • Clip On's
    • Ray Ban Ray Ban
    • Oakley Oakley
    Frame Shape
    Aviator
    Aviator
    Square
    Square
    Cat Eye
    Cat Eye
    Wayfarer
    Wayfarer
    Rectangle
    Rectangle
    Wrap
    Wrap
    Clubmaster
    Clubmaster
    Round
    Round
    Prescription Sunglasses
    Prescription Sunglasses
    Oakley
    Oakley
    Ray-Ban
    Ray-Ban
  • Designer Brands
    
    Ray-Ban Glasses
    Ray-Ban Glasses
    Ray-Ban Sunglasses
    Ray-Ban Sunglasses
    Oakley Glasses
    Oakley Glasses
    Oakley Sunglasses
    Oakley Sunglasses

    VIEW ALL

  • Reglaze
Direct Sight logo Direct Sight logo
  • About Us
  • Explore
    
    Help Centre
    • About Us
    • Production & Delivery
    • Returns & Exchanges
    • FAQs
    • How To Order Online
    • Understanding Your Prescription
    • How To Measure Your PD
    • Fit Finder
    • Add A Pair & Save 15%
    • Accidental Damage Protection
    • Adjusting To Varifocal Glasses
    • Adjusting Your Glasses
    Get in touch
    • 01494 307 345
    • help@directsight.co.uk help@directsight.co.uk
    • Live Chat Live Chat
  • Search
    Search
  • /shortlist
    Favourites
  • /member
    Account
  • /basket
    Basket

Glasses
Up
  • All Glasses
  • Women's Glasses
  • Men's Glasses
  • Cheap Glasses
  • Ray-Ban Glasses Ray Ban Logo
  • Oakley Glasses Oakley Logo
  • Next Day Glasses
  • On Sale

Sunglasses
Up
  • All Sunglasses
  • Women’s Sunglasses
  • Men’s Sunglasses
  • Ray-Ban Sunglasses Ray Ban Logo
  • Oakley Sunglasses Oakley Logo
  • Prescription Sunglasses
  • Clip On's
  • On Sale

Designer Brands
Up
  • Ray-Ban Ray Ban Logo
  • Oakley Oakley Logo

Lenses
Up
  • Blue Light Glasses
  • Varifocal Lenses
  • Transitions®
  • Polarised
  • Bifocal

Reglaze
Up
  • New lenses in your own frame

Help
Up
  • About Us
  • How to order online
  • Understanding your prescription
  • How to measure your PD
  • Fit Finder
  • Production & delivery times
  • Return & exchange
  • FAQ’s
  • Store location
  • Terms & conditions
  • Add a pair and save 15%
  • Accidental Damage Protection
  • Customer Reviews
  • Adjusting To Your Varifocal Glasses
  • Adjusting Your Glasses
  • Offer Terms
Have a question?
  • 01494 307 345
  • help@directsight.co.uk help@directsight.co.uk
  • Live Chat Live Chat

Popular Searches
Bess
Round Glasses
Reglaze
Two Day Delivery
Petite Frames
Ray-Ban
Sunglasses
How to order
Oakley
Designer Glasses
Search Direct Sight
Home / Blog / Does Space Travel Affect An Astronaut’s Eyesight?

Does Space Travel Affect An Astronaut’s Eyesight?

2012-08-29 00:00:00

In all the popular science fiction space-based television programmes, it’s rare that a hero or heroine wears glasses. Star Trek, Star Wars, Dr Who – it’s hard to think of a key individual who needed help to see (although possibly Darth Vadar, who was more machine than human, had artificial eyesight).

Did Dr Spock Need Glasses?

In fact, scientific research carried out into the long-term effects of space travel on astronauts has suggested that there is a link between deterioration of eyesight and the amount of time spent in space. According to this research, Captain Kirk, Dr Spock, Luke Skywalker et al would almost certainly have been wearing glasses by now, given the amount of time they spent in their space ships.

Generally astronauts visiting the various space stations spend around six months orbiting the Earth. However, future missions being planned to more distant planets – Mars for example – could take years and it is this duration of time that has been investigated to see what effect it has on the human body.

Eyes And Brains Affected By Space Travel

Research carried out into the eyes and brains of astronauts by the University of Texas Medical School in Houston has suggested that extended lengths of time in space (over 30 days) in a zero gravity environment, can cause these organs to develop abnormalities.

The research was conducted by performing MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) scans on the patients which found that there was a build-up of pressure within the skull – which occurs in intracranial hypertension.

This could result in astronauts – who need to have perfect health – suffering problems with their eyesight for the first time.

astronaut in glasses

The Problems Of Living In A Weightless Atmosphere

It is already known that living in a weightless environment can cause problems with wasting muscles and reduced bone density. The Sun also emits radiation which is a concern.  Stays on the ISS (International Space Station) are limited to six months but a trip to Mars would be likely to take years and the long-term health effects need to be examined in full.

The scientists examining the effects on the eyesight of the astronauts discovered that some developed a bulging of the optic nerve and that the cerebral spinal fluid space expanded (which surrounds the optic nerve).

The Scientists concluded that these results were suspicious but that they were not unduly worried. Nasa is investigating the matter further and will monitor the situation.

Tweet

Tags: vision glasses

Posted in Vision | No Comments »

Twitter

Follow us on Twitter

Categories

  • Designer Brands
  • Direct Sight
  • Discounts
  • Glasses
  • Infographics
  • Sunglasses
  • Vision

Recent Posts

  • This is clearly a style you don't want to miss!
  • New Year, New Styles!
  • Shop Our New Season Styles from just £55!
  • Our Must-Have Bargains for the Festive Season!
  • Stuck for Ideas this Christmas? See our Glasses Gift Guide.
  • The iPhone App Revolutionising The Way Your Eyes Are Tested
  • Check Out Our Favourite Retro Frames This Summer
  • The Great Great Gatsby
  • Would You Pay £300 to Try on a Dress?
  • Right Now We're Loving Coloured Sunglasses

Blog Search

DirectSight

Subscribe for launches, news and special offers!

Shop
  • Women's Glasses
  • Men's Glasses
  • Cheap Glasses
  • All Glasses
  • Blue Light Glasses
  • Varifocal Glasses
  • Next Day Glasses
  • Premium Brands
  • Sunglasses
  • Reglaze
  • Sale
Guides
  • How To Order Online
  • Understanding Your Prescription
  • How To Measure Your PD
  • Fit Finder
  • FAQ’s
  • Production & Delivery
  • Exchange & Returns
  • Accident Damage Protection
  • Add A Pair & Save 15%
  • Adjusting To Varifocal Glasses
Lenses
  • Blue Light Lenses
  • Varifocal Lenses
  • Transitions Lenses
About
  • About Us
  • Store Location
  • Customer Reviews
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Offer Terms
Have a question?

We’re available by phone (01494 307 345) Monday-Friday from 10 am - 4 pm.

  • FAQ
    FAQ
  • Email
    Email
  • Chat
    Chat
  • Call
    Call
  • American Express
  • VISA
  • MasterCard
Direct Sight (UK) Ltd © 2025. All rights reserved. UK company number: 12447302.
Instagram Twitter Facebook Youtube

Subscribe for launches, news and special offers!
Have a question?

We’re available by phone (01494 307 345) Monday-Friday from 10 am - 4 pm.

  • FAQ
    FAQ
  • Email
    Email
  • Chat
    Chat
  • Call
    Call


My Account
Up

  • Sign In


About
Up

  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Visit Our Store
  • Production & Delivery
  • Exchange & Returns
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Privacy Policy


Shop
Up

  • Women's Glasses
  • Men's Glasses
  • Cheap Glasses
  • All Glasses
  • Blue Light Glasses
  • Varifocal Glasses
  • Shop By Colour
  • Next Day Glasses
  • Premium Brands
  • Reglaze


Guides
Up

  • How To Order Online
  • Understanding Your Prescription
  • How To Measure Your PD
  • Fit Finder
  • FAQ'S
  • Accident Damage Protection
  • Add A Pair & Save 15%


Lenses
Up

  • Blue Light Glasses
  • Varifocal Lenses
  • Transitions

Instagram Twitter Facebook Youtube
  • American Express
  • VISA
  • MasterCard
Direct Sight (UK) Ltd © 2025. All rights reserved. UK company number: 12447302.