You could be forgiven for assuming that an ophthalmology clinic in Brisbane could have nothing in common with NASA. After all, they are completely different, right? But what if we told you there was a common link – that of the technology each uses to test vision changes in people… or astronauts!
It’s called the Heidelburg Spectralis, and while it may sound like the name of a sci-fi movie, it’s essentially a next generation piece of eye technology that is used by both KindSIGHT and NASA.
What is it?
The Heidelburg Spectralis is an advanced technology Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) scan device which can take literally thousands of images of your retina using infrared light, getting deep down through layers of eye tissue.
Much like an ultrasound (only 10 times more sensitive), the Spectralis is a non-invasive diagnostic imaging platform. One of its key features is its ability to help ophthalmologists identify structures within the retina that aren’t visible to the human eye or traditional fundus photography.
About the retina
The retina is light-sensitive tissue that sits at the back of your eye. These cells are responsible for delivering information to your brain, helping us to interpret and process visual information. It is an essential part of the eye and a critical conduit for communication between the eye and the brain.
Some diseases that can affect the retina include retinal detachment, diabetic retinopathy, and macular degeneration. The Spectralis OCT allows ophthalmologists to evaluate, diagnose and manage these conditions effectively.
NASA and the Spectralis
Interestingly, NASA is using this exact same piece of equipment to investigate vision changes experienced by their astronauts.
In 2013, NASA installed a Heidelberg Spectralis OCT machine on the International Space Station (ISS) as part of their ‘Vision Impairment and Intracranial Pressure (VIIP) program’.
After around 8 weeks in space, the ‘zero gravity’ environment causes fluid shifts in the astronauts’ bodies, which lead to changes in the structure of the eye, resulting in blurred vision. Not surprisingly, this can make it very difficult for an astronaut to carry out their important work and – unlike here on Earth – an appointment with an eye expert is not very easy to come by!
The return trip to Mars takes roughly 3 years and with a mission target date of 2030, NASA has made it a priority to work with leading ophthalmologists and technology companies to understand what can be done to protect astronauts’ vision.
KindSIGHT and the Spectralis
At KindSIGHT we are committed to using leading technology and modern equipment to diagnose and treat our patients accurately and successfully. While we may not have any astronauts as clients (yet!), having our very own Heidelberg Spectralis helps us provide the best possible care and treatment for our patients.
So next time you’re in our clinic, ask us about the Heidelberg Spectralis and we’ll give you a sneak peek at the technology that is serving NASA astronauts up in space!
