Eye Microbiome: How Bacteria May Influence Eye Health and Disease

https://www.news-medical.net/health/Eye-Microbiome-How-Bacteria-May-Influence-Eye-Health-and-Disease.aspx The eye's surface hosts a low-abundance microbial community, while the possible existence of a resident microbiome inside the eye remains under investigation. Previously, the intraocular environment was considered sterile, while culture-based studies had long identified microorganisms on the ocular surface. Reports of microbial genetic material in intraocular samples have raised questions about possible resident organisms, but their presence and significance remain uncertain.3 More recent molecular techniques, such as 16S ribosomal ribonucleic acid (rRNA) gene sequencing and whole-metagenome shotgun sequencing, have expanded our understanding of the ocular microbiome. The 16S method primarily profiles bacteria, while shotgun sequencing can also detect DNA from fungi, DNA viruses, and other microorganisms.1 The ocular surface contains low microbial biomass and is highly susceptible to contamination from surrounding tissues and the environment.