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

Summary: Could gut microbes shape eye allergies? Patients with vernal keratoconjunctivitis showed altered gut bacteria, though links to symptom severity were absent. #Microbiome #EyeHealth

Peyman A ; Pourazizi M ; Kazemi M ; Ghorbani F ; Chitsaz Esfahani Z ; Ahmadi Beni F ; Noorshargh P ; Ghorbani S
Source: Cornea Published:2026

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. Copyright © 2025 Wolters Kluwer Health, LLC. All rights reserved.