Anterior Chamber Aspirate Cultures after Uncomplicated Cataract Surgery

Anan Boonyarangkul, M.D.*
*Department of Ophthalmology, Buriram HospitaL


ABSTRACT

We cultured aspirated fluid from anterior chamber of 30 patients who had uncomplicated extracapsular cataract extraction at Buriram Hospital.

The aspiration was performed at the last step of the operation, at the time of corneal wound closure. Of 30 patients, 13 (26%) had culture-positive results, The most commonly isolated organisms were coagulase-negative Staphylocccs Sp. occurring in 8 of 13 isolates (61.6%).

No eye in this study developed endophthalmitis which suggest that the anterior chamber of human possesses antimicrobial properties which can clear low virulence and low inoculum of contaminated bacteria after uncomplicated extracapsular cataract surgery.