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Vision to Mars program launches, seeks ophthalmic input
CHICAGO — The National Space And Biomedical Research Institute of Baylor College of Medicine announced the launch of the Vision for Mars program, designed to better understand the mechanisms of and treatments for ocular health during space travel, at the Ophthalmology Innovation Summit here.
Dorit B. Donoviel, PhD, deputy chief scientist and industry forum lead of the National Space Biomedical Research Institute, said the institution has observed papilledema occurring and correlating with longer time in space. They’re also finding globe flattening, increased optic nerve sheath diameter, hyperoptic-shift, choroidal folds, cotton wool spot, and scotoma. However, the disorders are predominantly observed among men, she added.
“We literally need out-of-this-world diagnostic capabilities,” Donoviel said to attendees.
The program, Vision for Mars, will give at least three grants beginning at $100,000 each to study this growing problem, according to Donoviel.
The application will be available online on Dec. 4, 2014. For additional information, go to nsbriforum.org.