Ocular Surface Microbiome

Diversity and Dynamic Stability of the Ocular Surface Microbiome

The purpose of this study is to collect samples from the surface of eyelids to try to grow and identify bacteria or fungus that might be present, and to try to understand why people have dry eye symptoms.

"Dry eye" is a very common eye condition, which may or may not be caused by specific microorganisms that live on the surface of the eye. In this study, a combination of tissue culture and molecular biology techniques will be used to identify every microbe (bacteria, fungus, or virus) on the surface of eyes of people with dry eye syndrome, as well as a 'control' group of people who don't have dry eye disease.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Subjects with ocular surface discomfort with an Ocular Surface Disease Index score of greater than 60
• Subjects with and Ocular Surface disease Index score less than 30
• Males and females age 18 or older

Exclusion Criteria:

• Contact lens wear
• Use of oral or topical antibiotics in past 6 months
• Use of prescription eye medication in past 6 months
• Penetrating ocular or keratoplasty surgery in last 12 months
• Children under the age of 18