Metagenomics in ophthalmology: Hypothesis or real prospective?

Abstract

Metagenomic analysis was originally associated with the studies of genetic material from environmental samples. But, with the advent of the Human Microbiome Project, it has now been applied in clinical practices. The ocular surface (OS) is the most exposed part of the eye, colonized by several microbial communities (both, OS and environmental) that contribute to the maintenance of the physiological state. Limited knowledge has been acquired on these microbes due to the limitations of conventional diagnostic methods. Emerging fields of research are focusing on Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) technologies to obtain reliable information on the OS microbiome. Currently only pre-specified pathogens can be detected by conventional culture-based techniques or Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR), but there are conditions to state whether metagenomics could revolutionize the diagnosis of ocular diseases. The aim of this review is to provide an updated overview of the studies involving NGS technology for OS microbiome.

Keywords: Metagenomics; Microbiome; NGS (next generation sequencing); Ocular infection; Ocular surface.

Fig. 1

Schematic representation of different areas of Metagenomics.

Fig. 2

The process towards genetic guided treatment in the field of ophthalmology. The figure indicates different procedures of sample collection, nucleic acid extraction, sample preparation, sequencing, bioinformatics, analysis and report writing, indication to the eye surgeon for specific drug usage for specific microorganism and metagenomics guided eye treatment on the patient. Being highly specific and cost effective, metagenomics could be potentially used in ophthalmology in the near future.