A prospective evaluation of anterior chamber contamination following cataract surgery

Anterior chamber aspirate cultures were done in 57 patients who underwent uncomplicated manual small incision cataract surgery with posterior chamber intra-ocular lens implantation. The aspirates were collected at the time of wound closures. The specimens were immediately inoculated into blood agar, chocolate agar and thioglycolate broth. The cultures were incubated at 37 degrees C with 5% CO2 and held for 5 days. Out of 57 patients 8 (14%) had culture positive anterior chamber aspirates. Coagulase negative staphylococcus was the commonest (62%). No anaerobic organism was detected. None of the eyes developed endophthalmitis. The study concluded that the strict aseptic measures, the antimicrobial property of the aqueous humour or small inoculum size could be the possible factors to prevent fulminating infection.