Toxicology research on the effects of environmental pollutants on the retina: A review

Background As the key sensory tissue in the eye, the retina is vulnerable to environmental pollutants, with laboratory studies demonstrating their potential to disrupt retinal structure and function. To comprehensively understand the toxic effects and potential mechanisms of pollutants, this review studied the effects of major environmental pollutants, including heavy metals (cadmium, mercury, lead), organic compounds (bisphenol compounds, polychlorinated biphenyls, triclosan, chlorpyrifos), and microplastics, on the structure and function of the retina. Methods: Method Using PubMed, Web of Science, and CNKI databases, search for keywords such as "retina," "toxicity," "environmental pollutants," "oxidative stress," "cell apoptosis," "visual function," and their combinations. Include original research and reviews evaluating the retinal toxicity of specific environmental pollutants, rigorously screen literature for in-depth analysis. Results Comprehensive analysis confirms that target environmental pollutants can induce significant retinal toxicity effects, including retinal developmental disorders, tissue structure damage, loss of photoreceptor cell specificity, and ultimately leading to visual dysfunction and visual related behavioral abnormalities. Conclusion This review integrates mechanistic insights from experimental toxicology research, providing a preclinical framework for understanding pollutant induced retinal damage and laying an important foundation for developing protective strategies against environmental retinal damage.