Anterior Chamber Contamination at the Conclusion of Phacoemulsification

Purpose: to evaluate anterior chamber aspirates at the conclusion of phacoemulsificationand intraocular lens implantation (pe+iol) for bacterial and fungal contamination.methods: we prospectively evaluated 80 eyes of 80 patients undergoing routinepe+iol by performing bacterial and fungal culture on aspirates obtained from theanterior chamber at the end of the surgery.results: anterior chamber fluid aspirates were positive for bacteria in 5 eyes (6.33%)with coagulase-negative staphylococcus being the most common organism (three eyes).no instance of positive fungus culture was observed. one of the culture-positive eyesdeveloped postoperative uveitis which resolved during a week of treatment with topicalcorticosteroids and antibiotics. none of the eyes developed endophthalmitis.conclusion: in the current series, the rate of anterior chamber contamination by bacteriaat the end of phacoemulsification was in the lower range reported by previous studies.