Microbiologic study of soft contact lenses after laser subepithelial keratectomy for myopia


Hondur A. M., Bilgihan K., Cirak M. Y., Dogan O., Erdinc A., Hasanreisoglu B.

EYE & CONTACT LENS-SCIENCE AND CLINICAL PRACTICE, vol.34, no.1, pp.24-27, 2008 (SCI-Expanded) identifier identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 34 Issue: 1
  • Publication Date: 2008
  • Doi Number: 10.1097/icl.0b013e31805881c2
  • Journal Name: EYE & CONTACT LENS-SCIENCE AND CLINICAL PRACTICE
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus
  • Page Numbers: pp.24-27
  • Keywords: bacterial contamination, bacterial keratitis, contact lens, laser subepithelial keratectomy, refractive surgery, PHOTOREFRACTIVE KERATECTOMY, BACTERIAL KERATITIS, KERATOMILEUSIS
  • Gazi University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

To evaluate the extent and agents of bacterial contamination of bandage disposable soft contact lenses after laser subepithelial keratectomy (LASEK) and to correlate the findings with clinical data. Methods. Disposable soft contact lenses were collected from 52 eyes of 26 consecutive patients treated with LASEK for myopia. The patients were treated with a fixed combination of tobramycin and diclofenac until epithelial closure. The lenses were removed on the fourth or fifth postoperative day with sterile forceps and immediately placed in sterile tubes containing culture media brain-heart infusion broth. The lenses were evaluated for microbial colonization. Results. Of the 52 contact lenses analyzed, six (11.5%) had positive cultures. However. no clinical finding of infection was noted. Isolated microorganisms were coagulase-negative staphylococci (two lenses), Stenotrophomonas maltophilia (two lenses), Acinetobacter species (one lens), and Aeromonas hydrophila (one lens). Except for one case, the microorganisms were sensitive to the administered antibiotic. Conclusions. The risk of infectious keratitis after LASEK seems to be low. Except for staphylococci, the isolated microorganisms have not been previously reported to colonize the ocular surface or cause keratitis after refractive surgery. These findings may suggest a changing trend of potentially infectious agents after surface ablation.