The influence of smoking on the ocular surface microbiome - a case control study

Up to 50% of the population suffers from dry eyes. Bacteria, fungi and viruses on the surface of the eye (ocular surface microbiome) may play an important role in maintaining a healthy ocular surface and have an influence on the development ocular surface disease such as of dry eye disease. This study investigates the influence of smoking on the composition and function of the ocular surface microbiome and tear proteome.