Parabolic flight as a research platform to investigate ophthalmic changes in microgravity.

Publication Type	Review
Authors	Nguyen T, Ong J, Aman S, Weaver A, Garcia A, Song A, Shakarchi F, Waisberg E, Lee A
Journal	Life Sci Space Res (Amst)
Volume	46
Pagination	100-105
Date Published	03/05/2025
ISSN	2214-5532
Keywords	Weightlessness, Space Flight, Eye
Abstract	Parabolic flight serves as an important terrestrial analog to study acute physiological changes in microgravity without the need for space travel. During a parabolic flight, alternating hypergravity and microgravity phases, lasting up to 40 seconds, enable research into ophthalmic changes. In this review, we discuss the application of parabolic flight as a platform to study microgravity-related changes that might impact ophthalmology including intraocular pressure, intracranial pressure, choroidal blood flow, and modified eye movement patterns. We further highlight how these insights could aid our understanding of vestibulo-ocular reflexes and conditions such as Spaceflight Associated Neuro-ocular Syndrome (SANS). While the brief duration of microgravity exposure limits some applications, parabolic flight continues to provide a controlled environment for examining acute gravitational effects on eye health and evaluating many space medicine interventions.
DOI	10.1016/j.lssr.2025.03.001
PubMed ID	40774730
PubMed Central ID	PMC12332269