Standardizing SANS in Spaceflight

NASA experts set out new diagnostic and management guidance for spaceflight-associated neuro-ocular syndrome

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SANS affects the eye and optic nerve during long-duration spaceflight, with 81% of NASA astronauts showing at least one feature post-mission.
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The new expert consensus aims to standardize the diagnosis and management of SANS, involving NASA specialists and cerebrospinal fluid disorder experts.
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Structural changes from SANS, such as globe flattening, can persist for years after returning to Earth, although no permanent vision loss has been documented.
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Current monitoring includes standardized eye exams and OCT, with astronauts trained to perform assessments in orbit during missions.
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No established therapy for SANS exists, but potential countermeasures are being explored, including drugs and devices to manage intracranial pressure.

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