NASA Astronaut Explains How Space Affects Our Eyes

Did you know that the structure of our eyes changes in zero gravity? Bob Hines explains that in space, astronauts face the intriguing phenomenon of Space Flight Associated Neuro-Ocular Syndrome (SANS), indicated by retinal wrinkling. Onboard the ISS the astronauts give each other eye examinations using devices like OCT to help them monitor their vision.

Bob Hines was selected by NASA to join the 2017 Astronaut Candidate Class. He reported to the Astronaut Office in August 2017. He has served more than 23 years in the United State Air Force (USAF) as an instructor pilot, fighter pilot, and a test pilot. Before his selection in 2017, he was serving as a Research Pilot at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas. He has accumulated more than 4,000 hours of flight time in 50 different types of aircraft and has flown 76 combat missions in 3 different aircraft types while supporting contingency operations around the world. Hines served as the pilot on NASA’s SpaceX Crew-4 mission to the International Space Station, which concluded on Oct. 14, 2022. The mission was the first spaceflight for Hines. He logged 170 days in space, overseeing the arrival of crew and cargo, maintaining the space station, and conducting science experiments of various disciplines.

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