Eye with retinitis pigmentosa - Fundus (back of the eye) of patient with retinitis pigmentosa. Credit: Christian Hamel on Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 2.0 DEED)
Eye with retinitis pigmentosa - Fundus (back of the eye) of patient with retinitis pigmentosa. Credit: Christian Hamel on Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 2. DEED) Sight loss in certain inherited eye diseases may be caused by gut bacteria, and is potentially treatable by antimicrobials, finds a new study in mice co-led by a UCL and Moorfields researcher. The international study observed that in eyes with sight loss caused by a particular genetic mutation, known to cause eye diseases that lead to blindness, gut bacteria were found within the damaged areas of the eye. The authors of the new paper, published in Cell and jointly led by researchers in China, say their findings suggest that the genetic mutation may relax the body's defences, thus allowing harmful bacteria to reach the eye and cause blindness. The gut contains trillions of bacteria, many of which are key to healthy digestion. However, they can also be potentially harmful.
TO READ THIS ARTICLE, CREATE YOUR ACCOUNT
And extend your reading, free of charge and with no commitment.
