Air pollution and the eye: A hypothesis to neural damage

Air pollution, a major global health concern, is well known for its impact on respiratory and cardiovascular systems. However, its effects on ocular health remain poorly understood. Exploring the potential pathways through which airborne particles interact with and enter the eye is essential to uncover the mechanisms underlying pollution-related ocular diseases. The importance of these questions is underscored by the seamless continuity between the eye's neural structures and the brain, forming a unified channel that drains through multiple tributaries into the cervical lymph nodes. In this review we explore several potential pathways through which particles may access the eye's neural structures. The first is the well-established pulmonary route, where inhaled pollutants induce inflammation via the circulatory system; the second a novel extrapulmonary pathway involving direct transmission through the olfactory-nervous system. This review is organized into three sections: an overview of ambient air pollution, a review of studies on air pollution's effects in ocular diseases; and, discussion derived from this body of research. Advancing our understanding of air pollution's interact with and impact on ocular health is essential for the development of targeted strategies to protect vision and reduce environmental health risks.