Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Comparison of Conjunctival Sac Microbiome between Low and High Myopic Eyes

  • Systems and Synthetic Microbiology and Bioinformatics
  • Published:
Journal of Microbiology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Microbial communities played a vital role in maintaining homeostasis of ocular surface. However, no studies explored the myopia-associated conjunctiva microbiota changes until now. In this study, conjunctival sac swab specimens were collected from 12 eyes of low myopia (LM), and 14 eyes of high myopia (HM) patients. The V3–V4 region of the 16S rRNA gene was amplified and then sequenced. Statistical analysis was performed to investigate differences in the taxonomy and diversity between two groups. Compared to LM, higher Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) scores were observed in HM group. The Shannon index of the HM was lower than that of the LM group (P = 0.017). Principle coordinate analysis and Partial Least Squares Discrimination Analysis showed distinct microbiome composition between two groups. At the phylum level, there were higher relative abundances of Proteobacteria (68.27% vs 38.51%) and lower abundances of Actinobacteria (3.71% vs 9.19%) in HM, compared to LM group (P = 0.031, 0.010, respectively). At the genus level, the abundances of Acinetobacter in HM (18.16%) were significantly higher than the LM (6.52%) group (P = 0.011). Actinobacteria levels were negatively correlated with the myopic spherical equivalent and OSDI scores. Moreover, positive correlations were found between Proteobacteria levels and OSDI scores, Acinetobacter levels were positively correlated with myopic spherical equivalent and OSDI scores. In conclusion, HM Patients have bacterial microbiota imbalance in the conjunctival sac, compared with LM patients. Proteobacteria, Actinobacteria, Acinetobacter may play roles in the HM associated ocular surface irritation.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4

Similar content being viewed by others

Data Availability

The data and materials supporting all the results of this study are available from the corresponding author upon the reasonable requests.

References

  • Alanazi, M. A., El-Hiti, G. A., Al-Madani, A., & Fagehi, R. (2021). Analysis of tear ferning patterns in young female subjects with refractive errors. Journal of Ophthalmology, 2021, 9524143.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Aragona, P., Baudouin, C., Benitez Del Castillo, J. M., Messmer, E., Barabino, S., Merayo-Lloves, J., Brignole-Baudouin, F., Inferrera, L., Rolando, M., Mencucci, R., et al. (2021). The ocular microbiome and microbiota and their effects on ocular surface pathophysiology and disorders. Survey of Ophthalmology, 66, 907–925.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Baird, P. N., Saw, S. M., Lanca, C., Guggenheim, J. A., Smith Iii, E. L., Zhou, X., Matsui, K. O., Wu, P. C., Sankaridurg, P., Chia, A., et al. (2020). Myopia. Nature Reviews Disease Primers, 6, 99.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Bao, L., Liu, Y., Ding, Y., Shang, J., Wei, Y., Tan, Y., & Zi, F. (2022). Interactions between phenolic acids and microorganisms in rhizospheric soil from continuous cropping of Panax notoginseng. Frontiers in Microbiology, 13, 791603.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Chiang, M. C., & Chern, E. (2022). Ocular surface microbiota: Ophthalmic infectious disease and probiotics. Frontiers in Microbiology, 13, 952473.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Cooper, J., & Tkatchenko, A. V. (2018). A review of current concepts of the etiology and treatment of myopia. Eye & Contact Lens, 44, 231–247.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dong, X., Wang, Y., Wang, W., Lin, P., & Huang, Y. (2019). Composition and diversity of bacterial community on the ocular surface of patients with meibomian gland dysfunction. Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science, 60, 4774–4783.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Fagehi, R., El-Hiti, G. A., Alsubaie, M. H., Abusharha, A., Alanazi, M. A., Masmali, A. M., & Almubrad, T. (2022). Measurements of tear evaporation rate in subjects with refractive errors using a portable evaporimeter. Healthcare, 10, 405.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Fahmy, R. M., & Aldarwesh, A. (2018). Correlation between dry eye and refractive error in Saudi young adults using noninvasive Keratograph 4. Indian Journal of Ophthalmology, 66, 653–656.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Flores-Moreno, I., Lugo, F., Duker, J. S., & Ruiz-Moreno, J. M. (2013). The relationship between axial length and choroidal thickness in eyes with high myopia. American Journal of Ophthalmology, 155, 314–319.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Fu, Y., Wu, J., Wang, D., Li, T., Shi, X., Li, L., Zhu, M., Zhang, Z., Yu, X., & Dai, Q. (2022). Metagenomic profiling of ocular surface microbiome changes in Demodex blepharitis patients. Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology, 12, 922753.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Garza, A., Diaz, G., Hamdan, M., Shetty, A., Hong, B. Y., & Cervantes, J. (2021). Homeostasis and defense at the surface of the eye. The Conjunctival Microbiota. Current Eye Research, 46, 1–6.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Gomes, J. A. P., Frizon, L., & Demeda, V. F. (2020). Ocular Surface Microbiome in Health and Disease. Asia-Pacific Journal of Ophthalmology, 9, 505–511.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hazra, D., Yotsukura, E., Torii, H., Mori, K., Maruyama, T., Ogawa, M., Hanyuda, A., Tsubota, K., Kurihara, T., & Negishi, K. (2022). Relation between dry eye and myopia based on tear film breakup time, higher order aberration, choroidal thickness, and axial length. Scientific Reports, 12, 10891.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Ilhan, N., Ilhan, O., Ayhan Tuzcu, E., Daglioglu, M. C., Coskun, M., Parlakfikirer, N., & Keskin, U. (2014). Is there a relationship between pathologic myopia and dry eye syndrome? Cornea, 33, 169–171.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Ji, X., Dong, K., Pu, J., Yang, J., Zhang, Z., Ning, X., Ma, Q., Kang, Z., Xu, J., & Sun, B. (2022). Comparison of the ocular surface microbiota between thyroid-associated ophthalmopathy patients and healthy subjects. Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology, 12, 914749.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Kang, Y., Zhang, H., Hu, M., Ma, Y., Chen, P., Zhao, Z., Li, J., Ye, Y., Zheng, M., & Lou, Y. (2020). Alterations in the ocular surface microbiome in traumatic corneal ulcer patients. Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science, 61, 35.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kim, Y. C., Ham, B., Kang, K. D., Yun, J. M., Kwon, M. J., Kim, H. S., & Hwang, H. B. (2022). Bacterial distribution on the ocular surface of patients with primary Sjögren’s syndrome. Scientific Reports, 12, 1715.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Li, X., Li, M., Han, J., Liu, C., Han, X., Wang, K., Qiao, R., Li, X. L., & Li, X. J. (2022). Correlation between fat accumulation and fecal microbiota in crossbred pigs. Journal of Microbiology, 60, 1077–1085.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Li, Z., Gong, Y., Chen, S., Li, S., Zhang, Y., Zhong, H., Wang, Z., Chen, Y., Deng, Q., Jiang, Y., et al. (2019). Comparative portrayal of ocular surface microbe with and without dry eye. Journal of Microbiology, 57, 1025–1032.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Liang, Q., Li, J., Zhang, S., Liao, Y., Guo, S., Liang, J., Deng, X., Liu, Y., Zou, B., Wen, X., et al. (2021). Characterization of conjunctival microbiome dysbiosis associated with allergic conjunctivitis. Allergy, 76, 596–600.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Litvak, Y., Byndloss, M. X., Tsolis, R. M., & Bäumler, A. J. (2017). Dysbiotic Proteobacteria expansion: A microbial signature of epithelial dysfunction. Current Opinion in Microbiology, 39, 1–6.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Mela, E. K., Drimtzias, E. G., Christofidou, M. K., Filos, K. S., Anastassiou, E. D., & Gartaganis, S. P. (2010). Ocular surface bacterial colonisation in sedated intensive care unit patients. Anaesthesia and Intensive Care, 38, 190–193.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Morgan, I. G., French, A. N., Ashby, R. S., Guo, X., Ding, X., He, M., & Rose, K. A. (2018). The epidemics of myopia: aetiology and prevention. Progress in Retinal and Eye Research, 62, 134–149.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Naik, M. N., Vasanthapuram, V. H., Joseph, J., & Murthy, S. I. (2019). Microbial keratitis in thyroid eye disease: clinical features, microbiological profile, and treatment outcome. Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, 35, 543–548.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Okonkwo, A., Rimmer, V., Walkden, A., Brahma, A., Carley, F., McBain, A. J., & Radhakrishnan, H. (2020). Next-generation sequencing of the ocular surface microbiome: In health, contact lens wear diabetes trachoma and dry eye. Eye & Contact Lens, 46, 254–261.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Satchi, K., & McNab, A. A. (2010). Orbital decompression in the treatment of proptosis due to high axial myopia. Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, 26, 420–425.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Schiffman, R. M., Christianson, M. D., Jacobsen, G., Hirsch, J. D., & Reis, B. L. (2000). Reliability and validity of the ocular surface disease index. Archives of Ophthalmology, 118, 615–621.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Shin, N. R., Whon, T. W., & Bae, J. W. (2015). Proteobacteria: Microbial signature of dysbiosis in gut microbiota. Trends in Biotechnology, 33, 496–503.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Song, A. P., Wu, X. Y., Wang, J. R., Liu, W., Sun, Y., & Yu, T. (2014). Measurement of retinal thickness in macular region of high myopic eyes using spectral domain OCT. International Journal of Ophthalmology, 7, 122–127.

    PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Song, H., Xiao, K., Chen, Z., & Long, Q. (2022). Analysis of conjunctival sac microbiome in dry eye patients with and without Sjögren’s syndrome. Frontier in Medicine, 9, 841112.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Suzuki, T., Sutani, T., Nakai, H., Shirahige, K., & Kinoshita, S. (2020). The microbiome of the meibum and ocular surface in healthy subjects. Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science, 61, 18.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wu, W., Dou, R., & Wang, Y. (2019). Comparison of corneal biomechanics between low and high myopic eyes—a meta-analysis. American Journal of Ophthalmology, 207, 419–425.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Yan, Y., Yao, Q., Lu, Y., Shao, C., Sun, H., Li, Y., & Fu, Y. (2020). Association between demodex infestation and ocular surface microbiota in patients with demodex blepharitis. Frontiers in Medicine, 7, 592759.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Yotsukura, E., Torii, H., Inokuchi, M., Tokumura, M., Uchino, M., Nakamura, K., Hyodo, M., Mori, K., Jiang, X., Ikeda, S. I., et al. (2019). Current prevalence of myopia and association of myopia with environmental factors among schoolchildren in Japan. JAMA Ophthalmology, 137, 1233–1239.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Zilliox, M. J., Gange, W. S., Kuffel, G., Mores, C. R., Joyce, C., de Bustros, P., & Bouchard, C. S. (2020). Assessing the ocular surface microbiome in severe ocular surface diseases. The Ocular Surface, 18, 706–712.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

This research supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China [Number 81870685], the Natural Science Foundation of Beijing Municipality [Number 7172173], the Peking Union Medical College Hospital Deposit Integration Commission Funds [Number ZC201904168].

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Ophthalmology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100730, People’s Republic of China

    Kang Xiao, Zhengyu Chen & Qin Long

Authors
  1. Kang Xiao
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Zhengyu Chen
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Qin Long
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Qin Long.

Ethics declarations

Conflict of Interest

The authors have no conflict of interest to report.

Ethical Statements

The study was approved by local ethics committee of Peking Union Medical College Hospital (ZS-3092) and informed consent was obtained from all study participants.

Supplementary Information

Below is the link to the electronic supplementary material.

Supplementary file1 (PDF 16 KB)

Rights and permissions

Springer Nature or its licensor (e.g. a society or other partner) holds exclusive rights to this article under a publishing agreement with the author(s) or other rightsholder(s); author self-archiving of the accepted manuscript version of this article is solely governed by the terms of such publishing agreement and applicable law.

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Xiao, K., Chen, Z. & Long, Q. Comparison of Conjunctival Sac Microbiome between Low and High Myopic Eyes. J Microbiol. 61, 571–578 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12275-023-00045-5

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12275-023-00045-5

Keywords

Search

Navigation