Changes in the microorganisms living on the ocular surface under space conditions are opening a new field of scientific research. The international SpaceOmix project, which examines changes in the eye microbiome in space, stands out as an important study that could shed light on future research.

The collection of bacteria, fungi, viruses and other microorganisms living in the human body is defined as the “microbiome.” Although more commonly associated with gut health, the microbiome is also found on the ocular surface, as revealed by next-generation bioinformatics analyses. The detection of microbial Dna in the eye, long considered sterile, is adding a new dimension to research into the relationship between eye health and the microbiome. An imbalance in the eye microbiome is thought to be potentially associated with certain eye diseases. Possible links between microbiome imbalance and conditions such as dry eye, allergic conjunctivitis, uveitis and iridocyclitis are making this an important field of research.

In 2025, the eye microbiome was studied in space for the first time as part of the Fram2 mission launched aboard SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket. During the five-day mission in polar orbit, samples taken from the same individuals were stored both on Earth and in space for comparative analysis. Involving scientists from Saudi Arabia, Belgium, Malta and Florida, the project is exploring how the behavior of microorganisms in space could contribute to our understanding of human physiology. According to Dr. Uğur Tunç, addressing health problems that may emerge as humans spend longer periods in space over the next 50 to 60 years will become increasingly important. Eye microbiome research is among the fields that could help shape the future of space medicine.

September 2026