Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
Review
. 2024 Nov 4;12(11):2232.
doi: 10.3390/microorganisms12112232.

The Ocular Microbiome: Micro-Steps Towards Macro-Shift in Targeted Treatment? A Comprehensive Review

Ewelina Trojacka  1 , Justyna Izdebska  1   2 , Jacek Szaflik  1   2 , J Przybek-Skrzypecka  1   2
Affiliations
Review

The Ocular Microbiome: Micro-Steps Towards Macro-Shift in Targeted Treatment? A Comprehensive Review

Ewelina Trojacka et al. Microorganisms. .

Abstract

A healthy ocular surface is inhabited by microorganisms that constitute the ocular microbiome. The core of the ocular microbiome is still a subject of debate. Numerous culture-dependent and gene sequencing studies have revealed the composition of the ocular microbiome. There was a confirmed correlation between the ocular microbiome and ocular surface homeostasis as well as between ocular dysbiosis and pathologies such as blepharitis, microbial keratitis, and conjunctivitis. However, the role of the ocular microbiome in the pathogenesis and treatment of ocular surface diseases remains unclear. This article reviews available data on the ocular microbiome and microbiota, their role in maintaining ocular homeostasis, and the impact of dysbiosis on several ophthalmic disorders. Moreover, we aimed to discuss potential treatment targets within the ocular microbiota.

Keywords: keratitis; ocular dysbiosis; ocular microbiome; ocular microbiota.

PubMed Disclaimer

Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

References

    1. Turnbaugh P.J., Ley R.E., Hamady M., Fraser-Liggett C.M., Knight R., Gordon J.I. The human microbiome project. Nature. 2007;449:804–810. doi: 10.1038/nature06244. - DOI - PMC - PubMed
    1. Aagaard K., Petrosino J., Keitel W., Watson M., Katancik J., Garcia N., Patel S., Cutting M., Madden T., Hamilton H., et al. The Human Microbiome Project strategy for comprehensive sampling of the human microbiome and why it matters. FASEB J. 2013;27:1012–1022. doi: 10.1096/fj.12-220806. - DOI - PMC - PubMed
    1. Satokari R., Fuentes S., Mattila E., Jalanka J., de Vos W.M., Arkkila P. Fecal transplantation treatment of antibiotic-induced, noninfectious colitis, and long-term microbiota follow-up. Case Rep. Med. 2014;2014:913867. doi: 10.1155/2014/913867. - DOI - PMC - PubMed
    1. Morgan X.C., Segata N., Huttenhower C. Biodiversity and functional genomics in the human microbiome. Trends Genet. 2013;29:51–58. doi: 10.1016/j.tig.2012.09.005. - DOI - PMC - PubMed
    1. Joyce S.A., Gahan C.G. The gut microbiota and the metabolic health of the host. Curr. Opin. Gastroenterol. 2014;30:120–127. doi: 10.1097/MOG.0000000000000039. - DOI - PubMed

LinkOut - more resources