Bacteria in the eye that stop infections

WHILE we know bacteria in the gut is beneficial, scientists have found that the same may be true of bacteria found on the eye.

For years the eye’s surface was thought to be sterile, but now scientists have found bacteria living on it that may protect it from infections. The eye was thought to be largely inhospitable to bacteria as tears are full of anti-microbial compounds.

But researchers at the U.S. National Eye Institute found having a bacterium called C. mastitidis on the conjunctiva can protect against bacterial infections. They are now investigating other eye bacteria and say it may change how we treat eye infections.