To elucidate confounding factors in ocular surface microbiome research and to confirm the presence of a core ocular surface microbiome and its temporal stability.
The investigator will take a conjunctival sample of both eyes of a group of volunteers together with an extensive questionnaire. Furthermore, 50 volunteers will be sampled repeatedly during one year or two years.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
NA
Purpose
DIAGNOSTIC
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
450
A conjunctival swab of both eyes will be taken at the same time together with an extensive questionnaire.
University Hospitals Leuven, Department of Ophthalmology
Leuven, Belgium
Richness and evenness of distribution of the microbial flora measured as operational taxonomic units on a single moment
A conjunctival swab and extensive questionnaire will be taken to search for a core ocular surface microbiome and confounding factors
Time frame: 20 minutes for samples and filling the questionnaires
Change in richness and evenness of distribution of the microbial flora, measured as operational taxonomic units, over time
A conjunctival swab will be taken on different points in time to investigate the temporal stability of the conjunctival microbial flora
Time frame: 20 minutes for the first sample and questionnaire, 5 minutes for all other visits
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