Ocular microbiome and dry eye

The ocular microbiome plays an important role in regulating ocular inflammation and producing tear film, which is critical to keeping the eye hydrated and preventing dry eye.
Dry eye is a pathology characterized by reduced tear production or insufficient quality of the tear film. This pathology can be caused by several factors, including aging, diabetic disease, wearing contact lenses, exposure to dry or windy environments, and dysbiosis of the ocular microbiome.
Dysbiosis of the ocular microbiome can lead to chronic inflammation of the ocular surface, which in turn can damage the lacrimal gland and reduce tear production. In addition, dysbiosis can alter the quality of the tear film, making it less stable and less effective in protecting the ocular surface.
Some research suggests that probiotic therapy can help restore the composition of the ocular microbiome and prevent dry eye. In particular, the use of probiotics containing beneficial bacterial strains such as Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium can help reduce eye inflammation and improve the quality of the tear film.
In addition, other strategies to prevent dry eye include the use of eye lubricants, regular hydration of the organism, regular cleaning of contact lenses, and protecting the eyes from dry or windy environments.
Bibliography:
- Wen X, Miao L, Deng Y, Bible PW, Hu Y, Ma L, et al. The influence of age and sex on ocular surface microbiota in healthy adults. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2017;58(13):6030-7. doi: 10.1167/iovs.17-22691. PMID: 29140928.
- Dong Q, Brulc JM, Iovieno A, Bates B, Garoutte A, Miller D, et al. Diversity of bacteria at healthy human conjunctiva. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2011;52(8):5408-13. doi: 10.1167/iovs.11-7648. PMID: 21685343.
- Lakkis C, Fleiszig SM. Resistance of Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates to hydrogel contact lens disinfection correlates with cytotoxic activity. J Clin Microbiol. 2001;39(4):1477-86. doi: 10.1128/JCM.39.4.1477-1486.2001. PMID: 11283084; PMCID: PMC87968.
- Willcox MD, Carnt N, Diec J, Naduvilath T, Evans V, Stapleton F. Contact lens case contamination during daily wear of silicone hydrogels. Optom Vis Sci. 2010;87(7):456-64. doi: 10.1097/OPX.0b013e3181e8a4e4. PMID: 20442610.
- Stapleton F, Keay L, Edwards K, Naduvilath T, Dart JK, Brian G, et al. The incidence of contact lens-related microbial keratitis in Australia. Ophthalmology. 2008;115(10):1655-62. doi: 10.1016/j.ophtha.2008.06.014. PMID: 18805342.
- Szczotka-Flynn L, Lass JH, Sethi A, Debanne S, Benetz BA, Albright MV, et al. Risk factors for corneal infiltrative events during continuous wear of silicone hydrogel contact lenses. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2010;51(12):5421-30. doi: 10.1167/iovs.09-4425. PMID: 20671271; PMCID: PMC3055666.
- Wu YT, Zhu H, Willcox M, Stapleton F. Impact of air-drying lens cases in various locations and positions. Optom Vis Sci. 2015;92(3):282-7. doi: 10.1097/OPX.0000000000000511. PMID: 25635552.
- McMonnies CW. Incomplete blinking: exposure keratopathy, lid wiper epitheliopathy, dry eye, refractive surgery, and dry contact lenses. Cont Lens Anterior Eye. 2007;30(1):37-51. doi: 10.1016/j.clae.2006.10.004. PMID: 17169579.
- Stapleton F, Alves M, Bunya VY, Jalbert I, Lekhanont K, Malet F, et al. TFOS DEWS II epidemiology report. Ocul Surf. 2017;15(3):334-65. doi: 10.1016/j.jtos.2017.05.003. PMID: 28736342.
Published on
Tagged in: Ocular Dysbiosis