The role of microbial flora on the ocular surface.
OBJECTIVE
Presence and interplay of microbial flora at the ocular surface reveal dynamic and evolving interactions with implications for both ocular surface health and disease. Data in this area are scarce or non-existent. The purpose of this review is to provide a snapshot of new and emerging developments in this area over the last 12 months.


RESULTS
Recent findings signal potential roles for ocular surface microbial flora in both the preservation and extension of ocular surface health and in the initiation of new or escalation of common surface disorders. Contributions range from priming surface epithelial immune cells to regulating mucin composition and production. Other findings explore the emergent role of ocular microbial flora cross talk with pattern recognition receptors to protect and strengthen local and adaptive mucosal immunity while preserving vision.


CONCLUSIONS
Deciphering the functional role of microbial communities at the ocular surface could bring new insights into and clarify the epidemiology and pathology of ocular surface dynamics in health and disease.
Miller
Darlene
D
Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, University of Miami, Florida 33101, USA. dmiller@med.miami.edu
Iovieno
Alfonso
A
D000818:Animals; D000942:Antigens, Bacterial / Q000276:immunology; D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000276:immunology* / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D002450:Cell Communication / Q000276:immunology; D015352:Dry Eye Syndromes / Q000150:complications / Q000276:immunology* / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D005123:Eye / Q000276:immunology* / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology; D005134:Eye Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000276:immunology* / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D054884:Host-Pathogen Interactions / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007108:Immune Tolerance; D018928:Immunity, Mucosal; D007114:Immunization; D009077:Mucins / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D051193:Toll-Like Receptors / Q000276:immunology
D000942:Antigens, Bacterial; D009077:Mucins; D051193:Toll-Like Receptors