Assessment of the Ocular Microbiome in Health and Disease
Vanderbilt University Medical Center
Summary
The objective of this application is to illustrate the core constituents of the ocular surface microbiome, describe factors that promote colonization, and assess the ocular microbiome's role in the health of the anterior segment. We will conduct a prospective, observational cohort study, including a longitudinal analysis of the ocular microbiome in adults.
Description
The microbiome is defined as a community of microbial organisms that reside in a specific host niche. There is a growing body of literature on the association between gut microbiome and disease entities such as inflammatory bowel disease, colon cancer and presumably an association that might influence response to treatment in some patients. Recent data suggest the existence of a resident ocular microbiota that may play a protective role in corneal infections \[1-4\]. However, not much is known about the ocular microbiome and its association with disease or response to treatment. The National…
Eligibility
- Age range
- 18+ years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Yes
Inclusion Criteria: We will include subjects who meet all of the following criteria: * 18 years of age or older * Provide informed consent * Cohort A - normal eyes with no ocular disease * Cohort B - primary open angle glaucoma/Ocular hypertension defined as mild glaucoma which is well controlled with no more than one drop of prostaglandin use daily for the past 6 months * Cohort C - non-infectious keratopathy not using any prescription medication (OTC artificial tears are acceptable) * Cohort D - Dry AMD (age related macular degeneration) * Cohort E - Wet AMD * Cohort F - diabetic retinopat…
Interventions
- OtherEye swab
This is a simple swab under the eyelids of both eyes
Location
- Vanderbilt University Medical CenterNashville, Tennessee