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Review
. 2024 Aug:245:109951.
doi: 10.1016/j.exer.2024.109951. Epub 2024 Jun 3.

The relationship between dry eye disease and human microbiota: A review of the science

Gal Antman  1 , Lukas Ritzer  2 , Anat Galor  3 , Alice Verticchio Vercellin  2 , Brent A Siesky  2 , Denise Alabi  2 , Jason Vayner  2 , Fani Segev  4 , Alon Harris  5
Affiliations
Review

The relationship between dry eye disease and human microbiota: A review of the science

Gal Antman et al. Exp Eye Res. 2024 Aug.

Abstract

A complex relationship exists between human microbiota and the risk for ophthalmic disease. While the homeostatic composition of human microbiota is still being established, including what defines dysbiosis (i.e. changes in diversity and abundance), pilot research has begun to identify the potential influence of demographics, geography, and co-morbidities on the microbiota and describe their impact on ocular health. This review specifically focuses on the scientific relationships of the human oral and gut microbiota to dry eye disease (DED), a set of conditions impacting the tear film and ocular surface. Although data are sparse and often conflict across studies, the literature generally supports associations between microbial imbalance (dysbiosis) and DED and alterations in microbial diversity and abundance to specific aspects of DED. This review examines the relevant science and mechanistic relationships linking gut and oral dysbiosis and DED. Various physiochemical factors and therapeutic approaches that alter microbiota, including medications and fecal transplants are examined in relation to DED.

Keywords: Bacteria; Dry eye; Eye disease; Gut; Microbiota.

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Conflict of interest statement

Declaration of interest: Professor Alon Harris would like to disclose that he received remuneration from AdOM, Qlaris, and Cipla for serving as a consultant, and he serves on the board of AdOM, Qlaris and SlitLed. Professor Alon Harris holds an ownership interest in AdOM, Oxymap, Qlaris, and SlitLed. If you have questions regarding paid relationships that your physician/researcher may have with industry, you are encouraged to talk with your physician/researcher, or check for industry relationships posted on individual faculty pages on our website athttp://icahn.mssm.edu/.

Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
Flowchart of article selection process using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) 2009 Flow Diagram.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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