CHARACTERIZATION OF THE OCULAR SURFACE MICROBIOME IN THE REGION OF EPIRUS AND MACEDONIA (GREECE)

Evidence suggests that the ocular surface microbiome of patients using preserved glaucoma eye drops differs from that of healthy individuals. These microbial changes have been linked to both the glaucoma treatment itself and the presence of preservatives, particularly benzalkonium chloride (BAK), in the eye drops. However, existing studies have primarily assessed these differences by comparing treated glaucoma patients to healthy controls, rather than examining changes within the same individuals over time.

The aim of this study is to evaluate how glaucoma medications containing the preservative benzalkonium chloride affect the ocular surface microbiome in the same patients before and after the initiation of therapy.

Inclusion criteria

Newly diagnosed treatment naive glaucoma patients or those with ocular hypertension

Exclusion criteria

• Patients' history of recent ocular surgery or trauma,
• Patient with any type of conjunctivitis and ocular surface inflammation recent to the time of diagnosis
• Patients using topical antibiotics
• Contact lenses wearers
• Patients in other chronic treatments with eye drops