title: Microbial contamination of soft contact lenses & accessories in asymptomatic contact lens users.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  With increasing use of soft contact lenses the incidence of contact lens induced infections is also increasing. This study was aimed to assess the knowledge of new and existing contact lens users about the risk of microbial contamination associated with improper use and maintenance of contact lenses, type of microbial flora involved and their potential to cause ophthalmic infections.
  
  
  METHODS
  Four samples each from 50 participants (n=200) were collected from the lenses, lens care solutions, lens care solution bottles and lens cases along with a questionnaire regarding their lens use. The samples were inoculated onto sheep blood agar, Mac Conkey's agar and Sabouraud's dextrose agar. Organisms were identified using standard laboratory protocols.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Overall rate of microbial contamination among the total samples was 52 per cent. The most and the least contaminated samples were found to be lens cases (62%) and lens care solution (42%), respectively. The most frequently isolated contaminant was Staphylococcus aureus (21%) followed by Pseudomonas species (19.5%). Majority (64%) of the participants showed medium grade of compliance to lens cleaning practices. Rate of contamination was 100 and 93.75 per cent respectively in those participants who showed low and medium compliance to lens care practices as compared to those who had high level of compliance (43.75%) (P<0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Lens care practices amongst the participants were not optimum which resulted into high level contamination. Hence, creating awareness among the users about the lens care practices and regular cleaning and replacements of lens cases are required.
authors.forename: Deeksha V
authors.initials: DV
authors.lastname: Thakur
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology, Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College, Sawangi (Meghe), Wardha, Maharashtra; Assistant Professor, Department of Microbiology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Raipur, Chhattisgarh 492 099, India.
authors.forename: Ujjwala N
authors.initials: UN
authors.lastname: Gaikwad
mesh_terms: D058345:Asymptomatic Infections / Q000453:epidemiology*; D001419:Bacteria / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D018639:Contact Lens Solutions / Q000032:analysis*; D003263:Contact Lenses, Hydrophilic / Q000382:microbiology*; D004866:Equipment Contamination / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007194:India / Q000453:epidemiology; D010349:Patient Compliance / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
chemical_list: D018639:Contact Lens Solutions