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Gut microbiome and retinal diseases: an updated review
Urooba Nadeem1, Michael Boachie-Mensah2, Jason Zhang2
1Department of Pathology.
Current Opinion in Ophthalmology
|February 8, 2022
Summary
The gut microbiome influences retinal diseases like age-related macular degeneration. Gut dysbiosis may cause inflammation, impacting the retina and presenting potential therapeutic targets.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Ophthalmology
- Gastroenterology
Background:
- The gut microbiome, comprising trillions of microorganisms, is increasingly implicated in various diseases.
- The retina, crucial for vision, is now understood to be influenced by gut microbial activity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review recent advancements in understanding the gut microbiome's role in retinal disorders.
- To explore the connection between gut microbial composition and eye health.
Main Methods:
- Review of current scientific literature and research findings.
- Analysis of studies utilizing computational biology and animal models.
- Characterization of microbial associations with specific retinal diseases.
Main Results:
- Distinct gut microbial profiles are linked to conditions like age-related macular degeneration and retinopathy of prematurity.
- Gut dysbiosis is hypothesized to increase gut permeability, leading to systemic inflammation affecting the retina.
- Bacterial products, metabolites, and inflammatory mediators circulate, causing immune dysregulation.
Conclusions:
- The gut-retina axis offers novel insights into retinal disease pathogenesis.
- This axis presents a potential new therapeutic strategy for retinal disorders.
- Further research is essential to confirm causality and detail the gut microbiome's precise role.
