Changes in the bacterial flora in the gut, also described as gut microbiota, are readily acknowledged to be associated with several systemic diseases, especially those with an inflammatory, neuronal, psychological or hormonal factor involved in the pathogenesis and/or the perception of the disease. Maintaining ocular surface homeostasis is also based on all these four factors, and there is accumulating evidence in the literature on the relationship between gut microbiota and ocular surface diseases. The mechanisms involved are mostly interconnected due to the interaction of central and peripheral neuronal networks, inflammatory effectors and the hormonal system. A better understanding of the influence of the gut microbiota on the maintenance of ocular surface homeostasis, and on the onset or persistence of ocular surface disorders could bring new insights and help elucidate the epidemiology and pathology of ocular surface dynamics in health and disease. Revealing the exact nature of these associations could be of paramount importance for developing a holistic approach using highly promising new therapeutic strategies targeting ocular surface diseases.

中文翻译：

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肠道微生物群如何影响眼表稳态和相关疾病

肠道细菌菌群（也称为肠道微生物群）的变化被认为与多种全身性疾病有关，特别是那些与疾病发病机制和/或感知相关的炎症、神经元、心理或激素因素的疾病。维持眼表稳态也基于所有这四个因素，并且文献中越来越多的证据表明肠道微生物群与眼表疾病之间的关系。由于中枢和外周神经网络、炎症效应器和激素系统的相互作用，所涉及的机制大多是相互关联的。更好地了解肠道微生物群对维持眼表稳态以及眼表疾病的发生或持续的影响可以带来新的见解，并有助于阐明健康和疾病中眼表动态的流行病学和病理学。揭示这些关联的确切性质对于使用针对眼表疾病的极具前景的新治疗策略开发整体方法至关重要。