Eye Microbiome Study

STUDY BASICS

If you are 18 or older and have healthy eyes, you may be eligible to participate in a research study designed to study the microbiome of the eye. The purpose of this study is to better understand the role of the ocular surface microbiome (i.e. the bacteria, fungus and viruses that live on the surface of your eye) in the development of dry eye and other infections. Compensation is provided.

STUDY PURPOSE

The purpose of this research is to evaluate biological samples taken from participants with and without ocular surface diseases. We would like to better understand the role of the ocular surface microbiome (i.e., the bacteria, fungus, and viruses that live on the surface of your eye) in the development of dry eye and other infections.

COULD THIS STUDY BE RIGHT FOR YOU?

• have healthy eyes
• are between the ages of 18-100
• live in or near Pittsburgh
• haven't worn contact in the past 6 month
• willing to commit to 3 in person visits

WHAT PARTICIPANTS CAN EXPECT

• Completion of screening and consent forms at Visit 1
• Completion of questionnaires at each visit
• Collection of conjunctival cells at each visit using EyePrim
• Eye swabs (DNA/RNA) collected at each visit
• A blood draw during the final visit (Visit 3) only