Journal Article

Light-eye-body axis: exploring the network from retinal illumination to systemic regulation

You, Mengling, Zhu, Peng, Rong, Rong, Zeng, Yi, Zhang, Jinglin, Xia, Xiaobo

2025

Overview

The human body is an intricate system, where diverse and complex signaling among different organs sustains physiological activities. The eye, as a primary organ for information acquisition, not only plays a crucial role in visual perception but also, as increasing evidence suggests, exerts a broad influence on the entire body through complex circuits upon receiving light signals which is called non-image-forming vision. However, the extent and mechanisms of light's impact on the body through the eyes remain insufficiently explored. There is also a dearth of comprehensive reviews elucidating the intricate interplay between light, the eye, and the systemic connections to the entire body. Herein, we propose the concept of the light-eye-body axis to systematically encapsulate the extensive non-image-forming effects of light signals received by the retina on the entire body. We reviewed the visual-neural structure basis of the light-eye-body axis, summarized the mechanism by which the eyes regulate the whole body and the current research status and challenges within the physiological and pathological processes involved in the light-eye-body axis. Future research should aim to expand the influence of the light-eye-body axis and explore its deeper mechanisms. Understanding and investigating the light-eye-body axis will contribute to improving lighting conditions to optimize health and guide the establishment of phototherapy standards in clinical practice.

• Publisher: Ivyspring International Publisher
• Subject: Animals / Eye / Humans / Light / Retina - physiology / Retina - radiation effects / Review / Vision, Ocular - physiology / Visual Perception - physiology