Abstract
BackgroundIn 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.MethodsPre 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.ResultsNo 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.ConclusionReassuringly, 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.
Highlights
In 2013 five polar explorers attempted to complete the first Trans-Antarctic Winter Traverse (TAWT)
These are generally higher than the Antarctic Plateau, which was reached during the TAWT, the duration at altitude tends to be much shorter for mountain climbers
The data need to be interpreted cautiously due to the limited number of eyes and individuals studied, the results presented here suggest that the explorers did not experience any detremental effects to their eyes or visual function and that future expeditions in this context are likely to be safe
Summary
In 2013 five polar explorers attempted to complete the first Trans-Antarctic Winter Traverse (TAWT). The majority of outdoor and expedition research has focused on mountain climbers reaching high altitude [1,2,3] These are generally higher than the Antarctic Plateau, which was reached during the TAWT, the duration at altitude tends to be much shorter for mountain climbers. Such studies of mountaineers operating in cold and high altitude environments have shown moderate reversible changes in visual function and ocular parameters due to hypoxia: intraocular pressure rises slightly [1], central corneal thickness can increase [2], retinal blood flow may change [3], and. At very high altitudes, a characteristic haemorrhagic retinopathy can develop [5,6,7]
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