Gut microbiome and dry eye: exploring the link and therapeutic potential

The gut microbiome plays a crucial role in ocular surface health and inflammation. This involvement is referred to as the gut-eye axis. The imbalance ratio of gut microbiomes affects the immune response, metabolism, and production of metabolites, and stimulates systemic inflammation that potentially disrupts the tear film and ocular homeostasis. Studies indicate that the gut microbiome influenced the severity of dry eye disease (DED) through metabolic, immunological and neuroendocrine pathways. This concept of the eye-axis approach to personalised microbiome-based therapy aims to retain and repair ocular health.