Stability of vision during space flight in an astronaut with bilateral intraocular lenses

PURPOSE: To report excellent and stable vision in an astronaut during space flight after bilateral cataract surgery with intraocular lenses. METHODS: A 60-year-old physician mission specialist astronaut developed cat aracts and underwent phacoemulsification with insertion of one-piece polyme thylmethacrylate intraocular lenses that had 6-mm optics bilaterally, Sever al months later, he flew on a space shuttle mission. Ocular examinations we re performed before and after the mission, and the patient was questioned a bout visual changes during flight. RESULTS: Ocular examinations demonstrated stable bilateral posterior chambe r intraocular lenses. Our subject reported excellent vision during liftoff, 18 days of micro gravity, changes in cabin pressure, and reentry. CONCLUSION: Results suggest that intraocular lenses are safe, effective, an d well tolerated during space flight, (C) 1994 by Elsevier Science Inc, All rights reserved.