Microplastics identified in commercial over-the-counter lubricant eyedrops
This study provides the most extensive quantification of microplastic contamination in commercial eyedrops to date, highlighting a major, under-recognised source of ocular exposure. These particles may arise from secondary degradation of plastic vials during production, transportation, storage, or during instillation, or introduced from other sources during production and represent a major source of exposure to the ocular surface, especially among patients who require chronic instillation of eyedrops.
Authors
- Chris Hong Long Lim (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2219-3184)
- Robert Symons (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6624-3553)
- Sandric Chee Yew Leong
- Duoduo Wu (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2247-0949)
- Andri K. Riau (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5105-0484)
- Emily Curren (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5327-6647)
- Matthew J. Burke (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0620-3960)
- Jodhbir S. Mehta (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6362-4898)
- Blanche Xiao Hong Lim (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6930-5046)
- Xinyi Su (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1480-6713)
- Julia Jaeger
Institutions
- NSW Department of Planning and Environment (AU)
- National University of Singapore (SG)
- Singapore National Eye Center (SG)
- Royal Perth Hospital (AU)
- Singapore Eye Research Institute (SG)
- Duke-NUS Medical School (SG)
- National University Health System (SG)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Eye
- Published
- 2025-09-29
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1038/s41433-025-04031-6
- Citations
- 1
- Primary Topic
- Microplastics and Plastic Pollution
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.50
Funders
- Lee Foundation
- Department of Health, Government of Western Australia