Safety Assessment of Nanomaterials to Eyes: An Important but Neglected Issue

Shuang Zhu, Linji Gong, Yijian Li, Haiwei Xu, Zhanjun Gu, Yuliang Zhao

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

103 Scopus citations

Abstract

The production and application of nanomaterials have grown tremendously during last few decades. The widespread exposure of nanoparticles to the public is provoking great concerns regarding their toxicity to the human body. However, in comparison with the extensive studies carried out to examine nanoparticle toxicity to the human body/organs, one especially vulnerable organ, the eye, is always neglected. Although it is a small part of the body, 90% of outside information is obtained via the ocular system. In addition, eyes usually directly interact with the surrounding environment, which may get severer damage from toxic nanoparticles compared to inner organs. Therefore, the study of assessing the potential nanoparticle toxicity to the eyes is of great importance. Here, the recent advance of some representative manufactured nanomaterials on ocular toxicity is summarized. First, a brief introduction of ocular anatomy and disorders related to particulate matter exposure is presented. Following, the factors that may influence toxicity of nanoparticles to the eye are emphasized. Next, the studies of representative manufactured nanoparticles on eye toxicity are summarized and classified. Finally, the limitations that are associated with current nanoparticle-eye toxicity research are proposed.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Article number1802289
JournalAdvanced Science
Volume6
Issue number16
DOIs
StatePublished - Aug 2019

Keywords

  • eyes
  • nanomaterials
  • nanosafety
  • ocular damage
  • toxicity

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Medicine (miscellaneous)
  • Chemical Engineering(all)
  • Materials Science(all)
  • Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology (miscellaneous)
  • Engineering(all)
  • Physics and Astronomy(all)

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