Findings from a recent study shed new light on the cause of dry eye syndrome and open the door for new therapies.
Researchers from Stephen F. Austin State University performed 16S rRNA sequencing and bioinformatic analysis on samples that were retrieved from eye swabs of 30 participants. The researchers were looking for the microbiome distribution in patients with dry eyes compared to those with healthy eyes.
Previous research regarding the human microbiome has demonstrated a strong link between the gut microbiome and the brain and the eyes. Altering the gut microbiome impacts other organs and can cause disease.
The analysis revealed that healthy patients had more prevalence of Streptococcus and Pedobacter bacteria species while those suffering from dry eyes had more Acinetobacter species present. Researchers hypothesize that metabolites produced by Acinetobacter bacteria are what cause the dry eye conditions. With this revelation, researchers will conduct additional research to explore the metabolic pathways linked with the Acinetobacter bacteria to hopefully gain knowledge regarding dry eye disease.
