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Vision Problems For Some Returning Astronauts

astroengine writes "A newly discovered affliction has some doctors wondering if astronauts traveling to Mars could have problems with their eyesight by the time they got there. About one-third of U.S. crew members aboard the ISS return with impaired vision, one case of which was permanent. The reason for the late discovery of this mysterious affliction is the reluctance of astronauts on active service to come forward — the risk of being grounded after complaining of blurry vision is considered too great."

2 of 203 comments (clear)

  1. Re:so let me get this straight... by sandytaru · · Score: 4, Informative

    The visual degradation is from the optic nerve, not from a mishaped cornea, if you had RTFA.

    --
    Occasionally living proof of the Ballmer peak.
  2. Re:One of many? by rjune · · Score: 4, Informative

    As a retired Navigator (17 years in KC-135's (A/E/R) I think that this post is absolutely correct on the mindset of flyers. They don't want be sick and go DNIF (Duties, Not Including Flying-- Grounded) and the schedulers sure don't want you off flying status. If you were grounded, once you got back on flying status, there was punishment in terms extra duty and crappy flights. I flew when I probably shouldn't have, but most everybody did. Maybe more information will come out now the shuttle program is over.