Spaceflight associated dry eye syndrome (SADES): Outflow biophysics and infection risk

Abstract

There is a notably higher prevalence of dry eye syndrome and dry eye-related symptoms among astronauts during and after spaceflight aboard the International Space Station and space shuttle missions. This unique phenomenon is termed Spaceflight-associated dry eye syndrome (SADES). With plans for returning to the moon and manned missions to Mars, all potential threats to astronauts well-being and health, such as SADES, should be accounted for. Herein, we describe SADES, provide a rationale for its occurrence, and connect it to the increased risk of microbial keratitis.