Ocular microbial
infection has emerged as a major public health crisis during the past two decades. A variety of causative agents can cause ocular microbial
infections; which are characterized by persistent and destructive
inflammation of the ocular tissue; progressive visual disturbance; and may result in loss of visual function in patients if early and effective treatments are not received. The conventional therapeutic approaches to treat vision impairment and
blindness resulting from microbial
infections involve antimicrobial
therapy to eliminate the offending pathogens or in severe cases; by surgical methods and
retinal prosthesis replacing of the infected area. In cases where there is concurrent
inflammation, once
infection is controlled,
anti-inflammatory agents are indicated to reduce ocular damage from
inflammation which ensues. Despite advances in medical research; progress in the control of ocular microbial
infections remains slow. The varying level of ocular tissue recovery in individuals and the incomplete visual functional restoration indicate the chief limitations of current strategies. The development of a more extensive
therapy is needed to help in healing to regain vision in patients. Stem cells are multipotent stromal cells that can give rise to a vast variety of cell types following proper differentiation protocol. Stem cell
therapy shows promise in reducing
inflammation and repairing tissue damage on the eye caused by microbial
infections by its ability to modulate immune response and promote tissue regeneration. This article reviews a selected list of common infectious agents affecting the eye; which include fungi; viruses; parasites and bacteria with the aim of discussing the current antimicrobial treatments and the associated therapeutic challenges. We also provide recent updates of the advances in stem cells studies on
sepsis therapy as a suggestion of optimum treatment regime for ocular microbial
infections.