A study in mice links gut bacteria to sight loss in inherited eye illnesses, suggesting potential antimicrobial treatment.

A new study in mice found that gut bacteria may cause sight loss in certain inherited eye illnesses, suggesting that antimicrobials could potentially treat the condition. Researchers observed that in eyes with sight loss caused by a particular genetic mutation, gut bacteria were found within the damaged areas of the eye. The findings suggest that the genetic mutation may relax the body's defenses, allowing harmful bacteria to reach the eye and cause blindness.