Stahl Matthew H, Kumar Alexander, Lambert Robert, Stroud Michael, Macleod David, Bastawrous Andrew, Peto Tunde, Burton Matthew J
University College London, London, UK.
Department of Medicine, Wexham Park Hospital, Wexham, Slough, SL2 4HL, UK.
BMC Ophthalmol. 2018 Jun 25;18(1):149. doi: 10.1186/s12886-018-0816-0.
In 2013 five polar explorers attempted to complete the first Trans-Antarctic Winter Traverse (TAWT). This study presents the ophthalmological findings for this group, who overwintered in Antarctica as part of the White Mars Human Science Protocol. Antarctic crews are exposed to extreme cold, chronic hypoxia and altered day-night cycles. Previous studies of Antarctic explorers have focused on the prolonged effect of ultraviolet radiation including the development of ultraviolet keratitis and accelerated cataract formation. This is the first study of its kind to investigate the effect of overwintering in Antarctica on the human eye.
Pre and post-expedition clinical observations were made including visual acuity, contrast sensitivity, colour vision, auto-refraction, subjective refraction, retinal examination, retinal autofluoresence and retinal thickness, which were graded for comparison. During the expedition additional observations were made on a monthly basis including LogMAR visual acuity, autorefraction and intraocular pressure.
No significant differences between pre and post-expedition observations were found, including visual acuity, contrast sensitivity, colour vision, refraction, visual fields, intraocular pressure and retinal examination. There was a small but statistically significant decrease in retinal thickness across all regions of the retina, except for the macular and fovea, in all explorers. Intra-expedition observations remained within normal limits.
Reassuringly, the human eye remains largely unchanged by exposure to the extreme conditions encountered during the Antarctic winter, however, further research is needed to investigate changes in retinal thickness. This may have implications for scientists who spend prolonged periods of time in the polar regions, as well as those who have prolonged exposure to the extreme cold or chronic hypoxia in other settings.
2013年，五名极地探险家试图完成首次跨南极冬季穿越（TAWT）。本研究展示了该团队的眼科检查结果，他们作为“白色火星人类科学计划”的一部分在南极洲越冬。南极科考队员面临极端寒冷、慢性缺氧以及昼夜周期改变的情况。此前对南极探险家的研究主要集中在紫外线辐射的长期影响，包括紫外线角膜炎的发生和白内障形成加速。这是同类研究中首次调查在南极洲越冬对人眼的影响。
在探险前后进行临床观察，包括视力、对比敏感度、色觉、自动验光、主观验光、视网膜检查、视网膜自发荧光和视网膜厚度，并进行分级比较。在探险期间，每月额外进行观察，包括最小分辨角对数视力、自动验光和眼压。
探险前后的观察结果没有显著差异，包括视力、对比敏感度、色觉、验光、视野、眼压和视网膜检查。所有探险者的视网膜除黄斑和中央凹外的所有区域厚度均有小幅但具有统计学意义的下降。探险期间的观察结果仍在正常范围内。
令人放心的是，人眼在接触南极冬季遇到的极端条件后基本保持不变，然而，需要进一步研究来调查视网膜厚度的变化。这可能对在极地地区长时间停留的科学家以及在其他环境中长时间暴露于极端寒冷或慢性缺氧的人有影响。
