Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: 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.
Authors: Lun He, Xiao-Kun Han, Tian-Yu Tao, Jing Zeng, Wei Luo, Xin Chen, Jun-Ming Wang, Xiang-Yin Sha
Language: English
Subfield: Pollution
Field: Environmental Science
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $1,800
Award: G3618437897
OpenAlex ID: W7125431365