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Identification of microplastics in human tear fluid and meibum: Implications for dry eye disease pathogenesis
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For the first time, researchers confirmed the presence of microplastics in human tear fluid and the oily secretions of the eyelid glands (meibum), with polyethylene being the most common type found. Higher polyethylene levels correlated with worse dry eye disease symptoms. In lab and mouse experiments, polyethylene exposure damaged eye surface cells and triggered inflammation, suggesting airborne microplastics may contribute to dry eye disease.
Microplastics (MPs) are emerging environmental pollutants that are increasingly being detected in various human tissues. However, their impact on ocular health is underexplored. This study investigated the presence of MPs in tear fluid and meibum of 45 patients with dry eye disease (DED). Various examinations were conducted, including the Schirmer I test, fluorescein tear film break-up time (FBUT) and other dry eye-related assessments. MPs were identified in the tear fluid and meibum and were categorized into five distinct types, with polyethylene (PE) being the most predominant. Notably, PE levels exhibited significant correlations with key DED parameters, such as Schirmer I test scores and FBUT. In in-vitro studies, PE exposure reduced the viability and induced apoptosis of human corneal epithelial cells and conjunctival epithelial cells in a dose-dependent manner. In mouse models, topical exposure to PE drops, which imitate airborne PE exposure, induced typical dry eye signs, reduced goblet cell numbers, and triggered conjunctival inflammation. PE-treated meibomian glands exhibited changes, but these changes were not statistically significant, possibly because of the limited duration of the study. This study is the first to confirm the presence of microplastics (MPs) in human tear fluid and meibum while also offering novel insights into the potential pathogenic effects of airborne MP exposure on ocular health.
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Intraocular microplastics and their association with age-related macular degeneration: Evidence from aqueous humor profiling and bioinformatics analysis
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Researchers examined fluid from inside the eye in people with and without age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and found microplastics in every sample. Polystyrene levels were higher in AMD patients than in controls, and higher PVC levels were linked to worse vision within the AMD group. Analysis suggested possible connections to inflammation-related biological pathways.
Detection and characterization of microplastics in commercial eye drops: A novel ocular exposure pathway
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Researchers tested commercial eye drop products for microplastic contamination using multiple analytical methods and found microplastics present in all tested brands. The particles were mostly smaller than 100 micrometers and composed primarily of PVC, polyethylene, and polypropylene, identifying eye drops as a previously unrecognized route of direct ocular microplastic exposure.
Oxidation enhances the toxicity of polyethylene microplastics to mouse eye: Perspective from in vitro and in vivo
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Researchers found that polyethylene microplastics can damage mouse eyes, reducing tear production, increasing eye pressure, and penetrating into the cornea and retina. Microplastics that had been aged by environmental oxidation were even more toxic to eyes than fresh ones. This is concerning for human eye health because people are constantly exposed to airborne microplastics, and real-world particles are typically weathered and more harmful than those tested in most lab studies.
Microplastics identified in commercial over-the-counter lubricant eyedrops
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Researchers conducted extensive quantification of microplastic contamination in commercial over-the-counter lubricant eyedrops, finding MPs in multiple product brands at concentrations suggesting direct ocular exposure with each application. The study identified a previously unrecognized route of microplastic exposure with potential implications for eye health.
Morphology-associated ocular surface toxicity of micro- and nanoplastics: Fiber embedding contributes to persistent injury
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Tiny plastic particles from our environment—including both round beads and fiber-shaped pieces—can damage the surface of the eye, causing inflammation, dry-eye symptoms, and harm to the cells that protect your cornea. Fiber-shaped microplastics were especially concerning because they physically embedded into eye tissue and triggered longer-lasting inflammation than round particles. This suggests that when scientists study plastic pollution's health risks, they need to consider particle shape, not just size or plastic type—and it raises questions about how everyday exposure to airborne microplastics might affect eye health over time.
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