Educational Tools & Resources Retina Glaucoma

Rethinking Ophthalmology Through the Microbiome

From microbial scarcity to immunological significance – rethinking the eye's interface with its microbial environment

By Farhad Hafezi, Mark Hillen 9/24/2025 9 min read

article Full Article subject Summary summarize Notecard

The gut-eye axis reveals a profound connection between gastrointestinal microbiota and ocular health, implicating microbes in conditions like dry eye, glaucoma, and age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Key studies indicate that the microbiome influences inflammation and health through interactions with ocular structures. The discovery that the eye is not entirely sterile introduces new therapeutic possibilities, including probiotics and dietary adjustments. As the understanding of the microbiome evolves, ophthalmology must adapt its approach to treatment and diagnostics, acknowledging the role of microorganisms.

About the Author(s)

Farhad Hafezi

Farhad Hafezi is a Professor of Ophthalmology at the University of Geneva, Switzerland; Research Group Leader at the CABMM of the University of Zurich, Switzerland; Chief Medical Officer of the ELZA Institute, Zurich, Switzerland; Adjunct Clinical Professor of Ophthalmology at the USC Roski Eye Institute, Los Angeles, USA; Research Professor at the NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, and Visiting Professor at the Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China. He is a six-time Ophthalmologist Power Lister.

Mark Hillen

Mark Hillen is Director of Communications at ELZA. He was Editor of The Ophthalmologist from 2013-2018.

Explore

Featured Topics

Issues

Business & Profession

Career Development

Events

People & Profiles

Rethinking Ophthalmology Through the Microbiome

From microbial scarcity to immunological significance – rethinking the eye's interface with its microbial environment

About the Author(s)

Farhad Hafezi

Mark Hillen

Related Content

Newsletters

Explore More in Ophthalmology

Disclaimer