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Ocular surface microbiota alterations in patients with pterygium
Yiyuan Guo1, Gege Tian1, Guangzhong Feng1
1Department of Ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China.
Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology
|February 2, 2026
Summary
Pterygium patients show altered ocular surface bacteria, with increased opportunistic pathogens linked to prolonged electronic device use. Extended screen time may be a risk factor for pterygium development.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Microbiology
- Genomics
Background:
- Pterygium is a common eye condition.
- The role of ocular surface microbiota in pterygium development is not fully understood.
- Electronic device use is increasing globally.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate changes in ocular surface microbiota and microbial diversity in pterygium patients.
- To assess the impact of electronic device usage duration on these changes.
Main Methods:
- 31 patients with unilateral pterygium were included.
- 16S rRNA sequencing was performed on conjunctival sac swabs from both eyes.
- Bioinformatics analysis was used for microbial annotation and diversity assessment.
Main Results:
- No significant difference in alpha diversity between pterygium and contralateral eyes.
- Increased Chao1 and Shannon indices in pterygium eyes with extended electronic device use.
- Elevated Pseudomonas and decreased Bacteroides abundance in pterygium eyes.
- Higher Comamonas abundance in pterygium eyes of patients using devices >4h/day.
Conclusions:
- Pterygium eyes exhibit increased colonization by opportunistic pathogenic bacteria.
- Prolonged electronic device use and associated blue light exposure may be a pterygium risk factor.
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