Cholinergic system and the role it plays in the visual system

Abstract

The nervous system receives and processes information from the environment thanks to its constant interaction with sensory organs, including vision, a system that includes ocular structures, cortical, and subcortical areas. Consequently, some mediators can receive and transmit visual information so it can be properly processed and interpreted. Among them, the activity of chemical substances called neurotransmitters really stands out, acetylcholine (Ach) in particular since it plays a significant role. Ach acts as a neuromodulator and is involved in the biological events of the visual system that regulate visual functions such as contrast sensitivity, visual perception, and ocular functions like tear production to maintain the homeostasis of the ocular surface. This happens through the interaction of cholinergic receptors on structures of the anterior and posterior segments of the eye. Therefore, the objective of the article is to describe the different aspects that relate to cholinergic activity, the visual system, and its association with the disease.