Microbiological study of disposable soft contact lenses after photorefractive keratectomy.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the bacterial contamination of bandage disposable soft contact lenses used in patients following photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) and to correlate our findings with clinical data. METHODS: Forty-six patients (81 eyes) underwent PRK. Immediately after each procedure, disposable soft contact lenses were positioned with sterile forceps. After 3 days, the lenses were removed in a sterile manner, placed in sterile Eppendorf pipettes containing 8 mL of enriched brain heart infusion broth, and analyzed for microbial contamination. RESULTS: Seven positive cultures were found: six gram positive cocci (7.4%) and one gram negative bacillus (1.2%). There was no clinical correlation with these findings. CONCLUSION: Isolated microorganisms were similar to those described in the literature as agents of bacterial keratitis and are components of the normal ocular flora. Klebsiela pneumoniae--considered an occasional or transient flora--was the exception. All isolated microorganisms but K. pneumoniae were sensitive to most of the antibiotics tested. Our findings suggest that the risk of infectious keratitis after PRK related to soft contact lens wear for 3 days seems to be low, which may be because lenses were not manipulated by the patient during the wearing period, and the postoperative antibiotic regimen was strictly followed by patients. However, care should be taken to instruct patients in proper lens care practices to reduce the risk of bacterial keratitis in contact lens wear following PRK.