Effect of Probiotics on the Occurrence of Blepharitis in Adults and Children

From recent studies, it has emerged that the gut microbiota is a possible responsible for the stimulation of the innate immune response and its role in the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases has been deepened. Several clinical studies, in fact, support the existence of a connection between changes in the commensal intestinal microbiota ("dysbiosis") and autoimmune diseases. It has been seen that also ocular conditions like chalaziosis and uveitis are tied to dysbiosis. In addition, in a recent study probiotics were found to be safe and effective in the treatment of chalaziosis in children. Other eye conditions that may be affected by changes in the gut microbiome are dry eye syndrome and blepharitis. Under these conditions, a reduction in globet cells has often been noted. These cells produce the mucins present on the ocular surface, and therefore, their reduction involves the production of a thin and ineffective tear film. Therefore, the study will cover patients with blepharitis (both adults and children), treated with specific probiotics to be taken daily. Patients will then undergo a full ophthalmological examination each week for the first month, and then monthly until complete recovery for at least 6 months. In addition, at the time of enlistment and complete recovery, after venous sampling, the following biomarkers will be analyzed with cytometer and ELISA: TNFα and lymphocyte subpopulations. With this study, therefore, the aim is to define the possible positive impact of probiotics on patients with blepharitis.