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.

Senior–Loken syndrome (SLSN) is a group of rare autosomal recessive disorders caused by dysfunction of the primary cilium, primarily affecting the kidneys (typically leading to nephronophthisis) and eyes (typically leading to retinal degeneration). Moreover, patients with SLSN may experience additional multisystemic symptoms, such as developmental delay, intellectual disability, ataxia, and nystagmus. To date, eight genes have been demonstrated to cause SLSN, all encoding for proteins involved in the structure and functions of the primary cilium. This places SLSN within an expanding category of diseases known as “ciliopathies”. Due to the genetic heterogeneity and significant phenotypic overlap with other ciliopathies, establishing a definitive diagnosis during the initial consultation remains a challenge for clinicians. Furthermore, current research on SLSN-related ciliopathies predominantly focuses on renal involvement, while the ocular manifestations remain insufficiently explored and lack a comprehensive review. Therefore, with the goal of offering practical guidance for clinical practice, this review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the clinical features, along with an ocular perspective on the molecular mechanisms, genetic underpinnings, and advances in the treatment of SLSN.