Addressing Empty Space Myopia to Enable Deep Space Travel with Extended Reality Auditory Biofeedback

Authors

Ethan Waisberg, University of CambridgeFollow
Joshua Ong, University of MichiganFollow
Nasif Zaman, University of Nevada RenoFollow
Phani Paladugu, Brigham and Women's HospitalFollow
Sharif Amit Kamran, University of Nevada RenoFollow
Bruce Markovitz, Wills EyeFollow
Andrew G. Lee, Houston Methodist HospitalFollow
Alireza Tavakkoli, University of Nevada RenoFollow

Abstract

Empty space myopia is a phenomenon that has been observed in pilots when flying in the open sky. Previous research has been conducted to develop training biofeedback devices to help pilot visual accommodation in empty skies. During future long-duration spaceflight, astronauts may also experience empty space myopia due to prolonged periods of time in vast space. Extended reality is a relatively novel technology that has emerged as a powerful tool for tracking ocular movements. Extended reality with auditory feedback may serve as a low-cost, easily applicable method to improve ciliary muscle control and vision during long-duration spaceflight to combat empty space myopia. In this paper, we review the effects of empty field myopia in space and report on the novel development of extended reality with auditory biofeedback as a potential astronaut training tool.

Scholarly Commons Citation

Waisberg, E., Ong, J., Zaman, N., Paladugu, P., Kamran, S. A., Markovitz, B., Lee, A. G., & Tavakkoli, A. (2024). Addressing Empty Space Myopia to Enable Deep Space Travel with Extended Reality Auditory Biofeedback. International Journal of Aviation, Aeronautics, and Aerospace, 11(2). DOI: https://doi.org/10.58940/2374-6793.1900