title: Microbiologic Examination of Bandage Contact Lenses Used after Corneal Collagen Cross-linking Treatment.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the agents of bacterial contamination of contact lenses after corneal collagen cross-linking (CCL), and to present the possible changes of ocular flora after riboflavin/ultraviolet A.
  
  
  METHODS
  Seventy-two contact lenses of patients who underwent CCL and 41 contact lenses of patients who underwent photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) as control group were enrolled to the study. After 48 h of incubation, broth culture media was transferred to plates. Samples were accepted as positive if one or more colony-forming units were shown.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There were positive cultures in 12 (16.7%) contact lenses in the CCL group and 5 (12.2%) had positive cultures in PRK group. Coagulase-negative staphlycocci (CNS) were the most frequent microorganism. Alpha hemolytic streptococci and Diphteroid spp. were the other isolated microorganisms.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Bacterial colonization can occur during and early after the CCL procedure in epithelial healing. To prevent corneal infections after the treatment, prophylactic antibiotics should be prescribed.
authors.affiliation: a Department of Ophthalmology , Gazi University, School of Medicine , Ankara , Turkey and.
authors.forename: Erdem
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Yuksel
authors.affiliation: a Department of Ophthalmology , Gazi University, School of Medicine , Ankara , Turkey and.
authors.forename: Nuriye Gokçen
authors.initials: NG
authors.lastname: Yalcin
authors.affiliation: a Department of Ophthalmology , Gazi University, School of Medicine , Ankara , Turkey and.
authors.forename: Gaye
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Kilic
authors.affiliation: a Department of Ophthalmology , Gazi University, School of Medicine , Ankara , Turkey and.
authors.forename: Mehmet Ozgur
authors.initials: MO
authors.lastname: Cubuk
authors.affiliation: a Department of Ophthalmology , Gazi University, School of Medicine , Ankara , Turkey and.
authors.forename: Mehmet Cuneyt
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Ozmen
authors.affiliation: b Department of Medical Microbiology , Gazi University, School of Medicine , Ankara , Turkey.
authors.forename: Aylin
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Altay
authors.affiliation: b Department of Medical Microbiology , Gazi University, School of Medicine , Ankara , Turkey.
authors.forename: Kayhan
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Çağlar
authors.affiliation: a Department of Ophthalmology , Gazi University, School of Medicine , Ankara , Turkey and.
authors.forename: Kamil
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Bilgihan
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001419:Bacteria / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D002648:Child; D003094:Collagen / Q000378:metabolism*; D003261:Contact Lenses / Q000382:microbiology*; D003316:Corneal Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control; D003319:Corneal Stroma / Q000378:metabolism*; D003432:Cross-Linking Reagents; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007640:Keratoconus / Q000378:metabolism / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D009779:Occlusive Dressings / Q000382:microbiology*; D018903:Photorefractive Keratectomy; D017319:Photosensitizing Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012256:Riboflavin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D003432:Cross-Linking Reagents; D017319:Photosensitizing Agents; D003094:Collagen; D012256:Riboflavin
keywords: Bacterial contamination; contact lens; corneal collagen cross-linking; keratoconus; photorefractive keratotomy