Nasal neurostimulation as a countermeasure for dry eye disease in astronauts: feasibility study in microgravity during parabolic flights

Timon Ax; Thomas L. Bothe; Jennifer P. Craig; Fabian N. Fries; Francesc March de Ribot; Slade O. Jensen; Berthold Seitz

doi:10.2514/6.2025-4113

Nasal neurostimulation as a countermeasure for dry eye disease in astronauts: feasibility study in microgravity during parabolic flights

Timon Ax, Thomas L. Bothe, Jennifer P. Craig, Fabian N. Fries, Francesc March de Ribot, Slade O. Jensen, Berthold Seitz

Western Sydney University

Research output: Chapter in Book / Conference Paper › Conference Paper

Abstract

Dry eye disease is common in astronauts during long-duration spaceflight and causes symptoms that impact comfort and performance. Conventional treatments such as eye drops are impractical in microgravity, creating a need for alternative countermeasures. This preliminary study assesses the feasibility of using the iTear100 device for neurostimulation in microgravity during parabolic flight. Thirteen healthy participants were exposed to microgravity phases while undergoing external nasal mechanical neurostimulation. Tear secretion was assessed using a high-resolution infrared imaging system (TearView, Beyond700 Ltd., Sydney, Australia), and tolerability was measured using a modified Treatment Tolerability Scale. Neurostimulation was well tolerated, induced perceptible tear production in all participants, and was deemed safe in the microgravity environment. These findings support the use of neurostimulation as a non-pharmacological, reusable treatment for dry eyes during spaceflights.

Original language	English
Title of host publication	Proceedings of the AIAA Aviation Forum and ASCEND, 21 - 25 July 2025, Las Vegas, Nevada
Place of Publication	U.S.
Publisher	American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics
ISBN (Print)	9781624107382
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.2514/6.2025-4113
Publication status	Published - 2025
Event	AIAA Aviation Forum and ASCEND - Las Vegas, United States Duration: 21 Jul 2025 → 25 Jul 2025

Conference

Conference	AIAA Aviation Forum and ASCEND
Country/Territory	United States
City	Las Vegas
Period	21/07/25 → 25/07/25

Notes

Not peer reviewed so no full text

Keywords

Aeroplane
Astronaut Performance
German Aerospace Center
Infrared Imaging
Microgravity
Parabolic Flight
Space Environment
Space Missions
Spacecraft Cabins
Steady Flight

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10.2514/6.2025-4113

Cite this

Ax, T., Bothe, T. L., Craig, J. P., Fries, F. N., de Ribot, F. M., Jensen, S. O., & Seitz, B. (2025). Nasal neurostimulation as a countermeasure for dry eye disease in astronauts: feasibility study in microgravity during parabolic flights. In Proceedings of the AIAA Aviation Forum and ASCEND, 21 - 25 July 2025, Las Vegas, Nevada American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics . https://doi.org/10.2514/6.2025-4113

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title = "Nasal neurostimulation as a countermeasure for dry eye disease in astronauts: feasibility study in microgravity during parabolic flights",

abstract = "Dry eye disease is common in astronauts during long-duration spaceflight and causes symptoms that impact comfort and performance. Conventional treatments such as eye drops are impractical in microgravity, creating a need for alternative countermeasures. This preliminary study assesses the feasibility of using the iTear100 device for neurostimulation in microgravity during parabolic flight. Thirteen healthy participants were exposed to microgravity phases while undergoing external nasal mechanical neurostimulation. Tear secretion was assessed using a high-resolution infrared imaging system (TearView, Beyond700 Ltd., Sydney, Australia), and tolerability was measured using a modified Treatment Tolerability Scale. Neurostimulation was well tolerated, induced perceptible tear production in all participants, and was deemed safe in the microgravity environment. These findings support the use of neurostimulation as a non-pharmacological, reusable treatment for dry eyes during spaceflights.",

keywords = "Aeroplane, Astronaut Performance, German Aerospace Center, Infrared Imaging, Microgravity, Parabolic Flight, Space Environment, Space Missions, Spacecraft Cabins, Steady Flight",

author = "Timon Ax and Bothe, {Thomas L.} and Craig, {Jennifer P.} and Fries, {Fabian N.} and {de Ribot}, {Francesc March} and Jensen, {Slade O.} and Berthold Seitz",

year = "2025",

doi = "10.2514/6.2025-4113",

language = "English",

isbn = "9781624107382",

booktitle = "Proceedings of the AIAA Aviation Forum and ASCEND, 21 - 25 July 2025, Las Vegas, Nevada",

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note = "AIAA Aviation Forum and ASCEND ; Conference date: 21-07-2025 Through 25-07-2025",

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Ax, T, Bothe, TL, Craig, JP, Fries, FN, de Ribot, FM, Jensen, SO & Seitz, B 2025, Nasal neurostimulation as a countermeasure for dry eye disease in astronauts: feasibility study in microgravity during parabolic flights. in Proceedings of the AIAA Aviation Forum and ASCEND, 21 - 25 July 2025, Las Vegas, Nevada. American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics , U.S., AIAA Aviation Forum and ASCEND, Las Vegas, Nevada, United States, 21/07/25. https://doi.org/10.2514/6.2025-4113

Nasal neurostimulation as a countermeasure for dry eye disease in astronauts: feasibility study in microgravity during parabolic flights. / Ax, Timon; Bothe, Thomas L.; Craig, Jennifer P. et al.
Proceedings of the AIAA Aviation Forum and ASCEND, 21 - 25 July 2025, Las Vegas, Nevada. U.S.: American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics , 2025.

Research output: Chapter in Book / Conference Paper › Conference Paper

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AB - Dry eye disease is common in astronauts during long-duration spaceflight and causes symptoms that impact comfort and performance. Conventional treatments such as eye drops are impractical in microgravity, creating a need for alternative countermeasures. This preliminary study assesses the feasibility of using the iTear100 device for neurostimulation in microgravity during parabolic flight. Thirteen healthy participants were exposed to microgravity phases while undergoing external nasal mechanical neurostimulation. Tear secretion was assessed using a high-resolution infrared imaging system (TearView, Beyond700 Ltd., Sydney, Australia), and tolerability was measured using a modified Treatment Tolerability Scale. Neurostimulation was well tolerated, induced perceptible tear production in all participants, and was deemed safe in the microgravity environment. These findings support the use of neurostimulation as a non-pharmacological, reusable treatment for dry eyes during spaceflights.

KW - Aeroplane

KW - Astronaut Performance

KW - German Aerospace Center

KW - Infrared Imaging

KW - Microgravity

KW - Parabolic Flight

KW - Space Environment

KW - Space Missions

KW - Spacecraft Cabins

KW - Steady Flight

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PB - American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics

CY - U.S.

Y2 - 21 July 2025 through 25 July 2025

ER -

Ax T, Bothe TL, Craig JP, Fries FN, de Ribot FM, Jensen SO et al. Nasal neurostimulation as a countermeasure for dry eye disease in astronauts: feasibility study in microgravity during parabolic flights. In Proceedings of the AIAA Aviation Forum and ASCEND, 21 - 25 July 2025, Las Vegas, Nevada. U.S.: American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics . 2025 doi: 10.2514/6.2025-4113

Nasal neurostimulation as a countermeasure for dry eye disease in astronauts: feasibility study in microgravity during parabolic flights

Abstract

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Notes

Keywords

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