Polystyrene microplastics impair the function of human retinal microvascular endothelial cells and pericytes and increase vascular permeability in vitro

Summary

Researchers found that polystyrene microplastics can damage the tiny blood vessels in human retinal tissue by causing cell death in both endothelial cells and pericytes, which are essential for maintaining the blood-retinal barrier. The microplastics also increased vascular leakage in lab models, though they did not promote new blood vessel growth. These findings suggest that microplastic exposure could potentially worsen eye conditions involving blood vessel damage.