ESA partners with Siloton to develop compact eye-scanners for astronauts

The European Space Agency (ESA) is partnering with British startup Siloton to develop compact eye-scanning technology to combat Spaceflight-Associated Neuro-ocular Syndrome (SANS). This condition, which affects approximately 70 percent of astronauts on the International Space Station, is caused by fluid shifts in low-gravity environments that can swell the optic nerve and push the retina forward, leading to significant vision impairment.

Existing monitoring equipment is often too bulky and requires real-time guidance from experts on Earth. As future missions like the Artemis program aim for the Moon and deep space, communication delays will make remote assistance difficult. Siloton is utilizing quantum technology to shrink essential eye-testing components onto a photonic chip smaller than a coin, allowing astronauts to perform automated self-scans without immediate ground support.

While the technology is being adapted for space, Siloton is also working with the UK’s National Health Service (NHS) to enable patients with retinal conditions to conduct scans at home, creating a dual-use development cycle between space exploration and civilian healthcare.