Electron microscopy study of explanted intraocular lenses from clinically noninfected eyes.
OBJECTIVE
To determine whether intraocular lenses (IOLs) in clinically noninfected eyes are coated with a significant, bacteria-containing biofilm.


METHODS
The Oxford Eye Hospital, Oxford, United Kingdom.


METHODS
Twenty-six IOLs, removed for reasons other than endophthalmitis from 26 patients attending the Oxford Eye Hospital over a 3 year period, were examined by electron microscopy. Immediately following explantation, the IOL was placed in glutaraldehyde 4% in 0.1 M phosphate buffer solution and processed for scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Areas of interest were reprocessed for transmission electron microscopy (TEM).


RESULTS
There was no evidence of a bacterial biofilm on any IOL. In 5 IOLs, significant host cellular debris was seen at the tip of the haptic or at the optic-haptic junction. In 4 of them, clusters of coccoid-shaped structures were seen at the optic-haptic junction on SEM, but examination by TEM showed these structures to be melanosomes, not bacteria.


CONCLUSIONS
We found no evidence to suggest that a significant number of IOLs are coated with a bacterial biofilm in clinically noninfected cases. We advocate the use of TEM to distinguish between coccoid bacteria and melanosomes.
Oxford Eye Hospital, Radcliffe Infirmary, United Kingdom.
V
V
Tanner
P
P
Rosen
A R
AR
Skinner
B
B
McDonald
D J
DJ
Ferguson
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D018441:Biofilms / Q000254:growth & development*; D002448:Cell Adhesion; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000648:ultrastructure; D006801:Humans; D007910:Lenses, Intraocular / Q000382:microbiology*; D008297:Male; D020460:Melanosomes / Q000648:ultrastructure; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D008875:Middle Aged; D019904:Polymethyl Methacrylate; D012086:Reoperation; D012826:Silicone Elastomers
D012826:Silicone Elastomers; D019904:Polymethyl Methacrylate