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Micro/nanoplastics and eye health: a review
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This review examined the potential effects of micro- and nanoplastics on eye health, finding that ocular exposure can occur through direct contact and oral ingestion, with particles potentially penetrating biological barriers to reach eye tissues. Evidence indicates that these particles may induce adverse effects on the eye surface, elevate intraocular pressure, and cause retinal abnormalities, primarily through oxidative stress and inflammation mechanisms.
Micro/nanoplastics (M/NPs) have become pervasive environmental pollutants, posing significant risks to human health through various exposure routes, including ingestion, inhalation, and direct contact. This review systematically examined the potential impacts of M/NPs on ocular health, focusing on exposure pathways, toxicological mechanisms, and resultant damage to the eye. Ocular exposure to M/NPs can occur via direct contact and oral ingestion, with the latter potentially leading to the penetration of particles through ocular biological barriers into ocular tissues. The review highlighted that M/NPs can induce adverse effects on the ocular surface, elevate intraocular pressure, and cause abnormalities in the vitreous and retina. Mechanistically, oxidative stress and inflammation are central to M/NP-induced ocular damage, with smaller particles often exhibiting greater toxicity. Overall, this review underscored the potential risks of M/NPs to ocular health and emphasized the need for further research to elucidate exposure mechanisms, toxicological pathways, and mitigation strategies.
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Microplastics and nanoplastics in the ocular environment: Pathways, toxic effects, and future challenges
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This review examines how micro- and nanoplastics may enter and affect the human eye, a topic that has received relatively little research attention. Researchers discuss potential exposure pathways, accumulation in ocular tissues, and mechanisms of harm including oxidative stress, inflammation, and cell death. The study highlights the need for more research on how plastic pollution could impact vision and overall eye health.
Impact of Microplastics on the Ocular Surface
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This review examines emerging evidence on how microplastics may affect the surface of the human eye. Researchers found that microplastics can potentially trigger inflammatory responses, microbial imbalance, and oxidative stress in ocular tissues, though research is still limited. The study highlights the need for more investigation into this overlooked exposure route, as the eyes are constantly exposed to airborne particles including microplastics.
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.
Polystyrene microplastic particles: In vivo and in vitro ocular surface toxicity assessment
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Researchers assessed the ocular surface toxicity of polystyrene microplastics in both in vivo and in vitro models. The study found that 50 nm and 2 micrometer microplastic particles caused damage to ocular surface tissues after 48 hours of exposure, affecting cell viability and inducing inflammatory responses. The findings suggest that microplastics present in cosmetics, tap water, and air may pose a risk to eye health.
A conceptual framework and proposed adverse outcome pathway for micro- and nanoplastics accumulation and neurovascular toxicity in the human retina
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This paper combines existing research to propose a theoretical model of how microplastics found in human retinal tissue might cause eye damage. It suggests dense, polar plastics like PMMA build up over time, triggering oxidative stress and inflammation that could weaken protective eye barriers. The authors recommend further lab studies to test this proposed model.
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When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.