Microbiological evaluation of contact lenses and contact lens disinfection solutions in an asymptomatic population and in medical personnel.
OBJECTIVE
To compare the contamination of contact lenses and contact lens disinfection solutions in a population of contact lenses wearers comprised of medical personnel and non-medical subjects.


METHODS
Forty-six medical personnel working in an infectious environment and 35 non-medical subjects were enrolled in the study. Contact lenses and contact lens disinfecting solutions were cultured and potential pathogens were isolated.


RESULTS
The frequency of isolation of pathogens from the contact lenses of medical personnel was significantly higher than from non-medical subjects. There was no growth in both the contact lens and the disinfecting solution cultures in 56.5% of the subjects in the medical personnel group, and in 57.1% of non-medical group of subjects. Both the contact lens and disinfecting solution cultures were positive in 21.7% of the medical personnel group, while in the non-medical group, only 2.9% of subjects had positive cultures.


CONCLUSIONS
Microbacterial contamination of contact lenses and disinfection solution was more frequent in the medical personnel group compared with non-medical subjects. In the medical personnel group, the most frequently isolated microorganism was Staphylococcus albus (19.8%), which is seen in hospital infections. Because soft and rigid gas permeable contact lens usage was approximately equal, we conclude that medical personnel are more prone to contamination.
Közer-Bilgin
L
L
Istanbul University, Istanbul Faculty of Medicine, Department of Ophthalmology, Turkey.
Demir
N
N
Altan-Yaycioglu
R
R
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D018639:Contact Lens Solutions / Q000592:standards*; D003261:Contact Lenses / Q000382:microbiology*; D004340:Drug Contamination; D004866:Equipment Contamination; D005260:Female; D006282:Health Personnel; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013210:Staphylococcus / Q000302:isolation & purification
D018639:Contact Lens Solutions