Hyderabad: A new study has found significant changes in the bacteria and eyelid oil of people with a common type of dry eye. Researchers from LV Prasad Eye Institute (LVPEI) in Hyderabad compared people with meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD) — a condition in which the oil glands in the eyelids become blocked, leading to dry eyes — with healthy people. The study was published in the UK-based Experimental Eye Research journal.
People with MGD had 28 types of bacteria on their eyes, compared with just 12 among healthy individuals. Further, nearly all the bacteria isolated from people with MGD (97%) were capable of forming biofilms. In comparison, less than half (48%) of the bacteria found in healthy individuals had this ability. Studies suggest that MGD affects about 48–55% of Indian patients, compared with around 36% of people worldwide.
The results revealed significant differences.
Most of these bacteria are harmless, but some can form biofilms, which are sticky layers that help germs survive,” said Dr K Arunasri, research scientist at LVPEI and corresponding author of the paper. This suggests that the composition of eyelid oil and the bacteria on the eye’s surface may influence each other,” said Anupama Hela of LVPEI. Meibum is also believed to fight germs. “So, any change in it may affect the bacteria living on the eye’s surface. Most of the bacteria identified belonged to a group called Gram-negative bacteria. “Our study shows that higher levels of polar lipids may be associated with a greater presence of biofilm-forming bacteria. The findings also point to an imbalance in the eye’s bacterial population and an unstable tear film in people with MGD. However, further research is needed to understand the underlying causes. The researchers could not establish which occurs first — changes in the eyelid oil or changes in the bacterial population. You Can Also Check: Gold Rate in Hyderabad | Silver Rate in Hyderabad | Bank Holidays in Hyderabad | Public Holidays in Hyderabad | Hyderabad AQI | Weather in Hyderabad | Petrol Price in Hyderabad | Diesel Price in Hyderabad | CNG Price in Hyderabad | LPG Price in Hyderabad