The Ocular Microbiome: Molecular Characterization of a Unique and Low Microbial Environment.

The Ocular Microbiome: Molecular Characterization of a Unique and Low Microbial Environment. Curr Eye Res. 2019 Jan 14;: Authors: Ozkan J, Willcox MD Abstract The ocular surface is continually exposed to bacteria from the environment and traditional culture-based microbiological studies have isolated a low diversity of microorganisms from this region. The use of culture-independent methods to define the ocular microbiome, primarily involving 16S ribosomal RNA gene sequencing, has shown that the microbial communities present on the ocular surface have a greater diversity than previously reported and appear to have an immune modulating function. These molecular techniques have been used to investigate the effect of contact lens wear and disease on the microbiota of the ocular surface and eyelids and these studies have consistently identified bacteria not previously identified in normal eyes. Recent studies also suggest a role of the ocular and non-ocular microbiome in retinal disease including age-related macular degeneration, glaucoma, uveitis and diabetic retinopathy. However, issues remain regarding the impact of contamination in these culture-independent sequencing techniques, particularly when investigating low microbial biomass samples from the eye. Ocular microbiome studies need to recognise the potential for contamination to impact findings and carefully control each stage of the experimental procedure and to utilise statistica...
Source: Current Eye Research - Category: Opthalmology Authors: Tags: Curr Eye Res Source Type: research