Residual lens cortex material: potential risk factor for endophthalmitis after phacoemulsification cataract surgery

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Microbiology
• Surgical Innovation

Background:

• Phacoemulsification is a common cataract surgery technique.
• Endophthalmitis is a severe post-operative complication.
• The role of residual lens cortex in bacterial growth is not fully understood.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the bacterial growth potential of residual lens cortex.
• To assess the risk of endophthalmitis associated with retained lens cortex after phacoemulsification.

Main Methods:

• Experimental study involving Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis.
• Bacterial growth quantified in aqueous humor versus lens cortex dilutions.
• Phacoemulsification performed on rabbits with complete or partial lens cortex removal.
• Intracamerary injection of Staphylococcus aureus to induce endophthalmitis.

Main Results:

• Significantly greater bacterial growth (S aureus, S epidermidis) in lens cortex compared to aqueous humor (P < .001).
• Higher incidence of culture-proven endophthalmitis in rabbits with residual lens cortex (P < .05).

Conclusions:

• Lens cortex promotes significant bacterial growth.
• Residual lens cortex increases susceptibility to endophthalmitis following contamination during phacoemulsification.