OBJECTIVES:
Since the early days of the Gemini space
program there has been an interest in the
possible effects of the space environment on
visual capability. During the Gemini program
S.Q. Duntley headed an effort to determine the
effects of space on visual acuity at two different
contrast levels. His approach was to develop a
portable, compact vision tester to fly aboard the
Gemini capsule and compare these results with
the astronauts' ability to see similar target
patterns constructed on the ground. These
methods provided limited visual acuity data on
a total of 4 astronauts.
Duntley originally planned to measure a
number of visual functions, but due to various
limitations only the visual acuity under two
contrast conditions was measured. Very little
quantitative work on vision in space has been
done since that time.