Exploring the Gut-Eye Axis: Microbial Dysbiosis in Vernal Keratoconjunctivitis

Abstract

PURPOSE: To investigates the gut microbiota in patients with vernal keratoconjunctivitis (VKC) compared with normal subjects. METHOD: A case-control study was conducted involving 32 patients with VKC and 16 age- and sex-matched healthy controls. Fecal samples were collected and analyzed using quantitative PCR to measure the abundance of 5 bacterial groups: Prevotella, Firmicutes, Faecalibacterium, Bifidobacterium, and Bacteroides. In addition, clinical severity scores for VKC symptoms and signs were recorded and analyzed. RESULTS: Patients with VKC exhibited significant microbial dysbiosis compared with controls, including an upregulation of Prevotella (mean fold change 21.579; P <0.001) and downregulation of Firmicutes, Faecalibacterium, and Bifidobacterium (P < 0.01 for all). No significant correlations were observed between microbial levels and clinical severity scores. CONCLUSIONS: The study identifies significant gut microbial imbalances in patients with VKC, suggesting that dysbiosis may play a role in the disease. Microbiota-targeted interventions, such as probiotics and dietary modifications, may offer novel strategies for managing VKC.