@article{He2026, 
author = {Lun He and Jiang Zheng and Xiao-Kun Han and Tian-Yu Tao and Jing Zeng and Wei Luo and Xin Chen and Jun-Ming Wang and Xiang-Yin Sha},
title = {Micro/nanoplastics and eye health: a review},
year = {2026},
journal = {International Journal of Ophthalmology},
volume = {19},
number = {2},
pages = {405-413},
keywords = {micro/nanoplastics, exposure, ocular, toxicity},
url = {https://www.sciopen.com/article/10.18240/ijo.2026.02.24},
doi = {10.18240/ijo.2026.02.24},
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.}
}