Microbiome-based therapeutics for ocular diseases.

Abstract

The relationship between the gut microbiome and ocular health has garnered increasing attention within the scientific community. Recent research has focused on the gut-eye axis, examining whether imbalances within the gut microbiome can influence the development, progression and severity of ocular diseases, including dry eye disease, uveitis, and glaucoma. Dysbiosis within the gut microbiome is linked to immune dysregulation, chronic inflammation, and epithelial barrier dysfunction, all of which contribute to ocular pathology. This review synthesises current evidence on these associations, exploring how gut microbiome alterations drive disease mechanisms. Furthermore, it examines the therapeutic potential of microbiome-targeted interventions, including antibiotics, prebiotics, probiotics, and faecal microbiota transplantation, all of which aim to restore microbial balance and modulate immune responses. As the prevalence of these conditions continues to rise, a deeper understanding of the gut-eye axis may facilitate the development of novel, targeted therapies to address unmet needs in the management of ocular diseases.