眼睛发现未知的隐藏清除系统

不列颠哥伦比亚大学和多伦多大学的研究人员发现了眼睛后部一个此前未知的淋巴清除通路，称为后眼淋巴流出（POLO）通路1。该系统通过脉络膜中的淋巴血管将液体和废物从眼睛后部排入身体的淋巴系统1。这项在小鼠中进行的研究挑战了超过一百年来的科学假设，为理解眼睛的清除机制提供了全新视角1。

Neeru Gupta医生表示，"视网膜是身体代谢最活跃的部分之一，不断产生需要清除的副产品"1。研究人员认为这一发现可能为多种致盲疾病开辟新的治疗途径1。青光眼和年龄相关性黄斑变性是两种可能受益于这项发现的主要眼部疾病，其中年龄相关性黄斑变性在加拿大影响约250万人1。

Researchers have identified a previously unknown waste removal pathway in the back of the eye called the posterior ocular lymphatic outflow (POLO) route.1 This system functions by channeling fluid and waste from the eye's posterior region into the body's lymphatic system through lymphatic blood vessels in the choroid.1 The discovery, made in mice and conducted by teams from the University of British Columbia and the University of Toronto, challenges scientific assumptions that have persisted for over a century.1

The finding carries significant implications for understanding and treating blinding diseases. According to Dr. Neeru Gupta, "the retina is one of the most metabolically active parts of the body, constantly producing byproducts that need to be cleared."1 The newly identified pathway may offer therapeutic opportunities for conditions including glaucoma and age-related macular degeneration, which affects approximately 2.5 million Canadians.1 The research was published in Translational Vision Science and Technology in 2026.1