Anterior Chamber Contamination at the Conclusion of Phacoemulsification

PURPOSE: To evaluate anterior chamber aspirates at the conclusion of phacoemulsification and intraocular lens implantation (PE+IOL) for bacterial and fungal contamination. METHODS: We prospectively evaluated 80 eyes of 80 patients undergoing routine PE+IOL by performing bacterial and fungal culture on aspirates obtained from the anterior chamber at the end of the surgery. RESULTS: Anterior chamber fluid aspirates were positive for bacteria in 5 eyes (6.33%) with coagulase-negative staphylococcus being the most common organism (three eyes). No instance of positive fungus culture was observed. One of the culture-positive eyes developed postoperative uveitis which resolved during a week of treatment with topical corticosteroids and antibiotics. None of the eyes developed endophthalmitis. CONCLUSION: In the current series, the rate of anterior chamber contamination by bacteria at the end of phacoemulsification was in the lower range reported by previous studies.