Abstract:

Ocular microbiota consists of microbial populations in human conjunctival sac. The microbiota is relatively stable in normal ocular surface, including Staphylococci, Corynebacterium, Propionibacterium, Streptococci and other symbiotic bacteria. But the microbiota is changed in the ocular surface of patients with dry eye disease, existing Propionibacterium acnes, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Klebsiella oxytoca and Rhodococcus sp, and share more metabolic pathways with pathogens. Changes on ocular surface cause immune response, and immune-mediated inflammatory response plays an important role in the occurrence and development of dry eye disease. The inflammation on ocular surface can activate keratoconjunctival dendritic cells, release cytokines, which injure goblet cells and corneal subepithelial nerve, causing dry eye symptoms. (Int Rev Ophthalmol,  2017,  41:   332-336)