Advancing Myopia Management: The Therapeutic Potential of Microbiota-Targeted Interventions

Abstract

Objective: Myopia is a growing global health concern, particularly in East Asia. Recent studies suggest that ocular surface microbiota may play a key role in regulating local immune homeostasis in the eye. This study aims to investigate the relationship between ocular surface microbiota and high myopia (HM), with the goal of identifying potential microbiota targets for controlling myopia progression.

Methods: 16S rRNA sequencing was used to analyze ocular surface microbiota in HM and NC groups. Microbial diversity and composition were compared, focusing on the abundance of Lactobacillus vini (L. vini). The correlation analysis explores potential factors influencing the distribution of differentially abundant bacterial species. In vivo and in vitro experiments assessed its role in Collagen-1 synthesis, scleral remodeling, and ocular inflammation.

Results: Significant differences in microbial diversity were found between the HM and NC groups. L. vini was enriched in the NC group and suggested potential in inhibiting myopia progression. Dysbiosis of L. vini in myopic individuals may also be mediated by parental myopia background. In vivo and in vitro experiments further confirmed that L. vini downregulated ocular surface inflammatory markers IL-6 and TNF-α in form deprivation myopic mice, inhibited scleral remodeling, and reduced myopic phenotypic changes.

Conclusions: L. vini may help mitigate myopia progression, potentially through regulating ocular surface inflammation. Future studies using genomic techniques are needed to further understand the mechanisms and therapeutic potential of microbiota-targeted interventions in myopia management.