[Intraocular contamination during cataract surgery according to surgical technique and type of implant].

PURPOSE

To determine wether the cataract extraction method and intraocular lens material affect bacterial contamination of the eye during surgery.

METHODS

This retrospective study evaluated microbial contamination of the anterior chamber fluid in three group of patients. Group 1: extracapsular extraction and PMMA lens (354 cases). Group 2: phacoemulsification and PMMA lens (474 cases). Group 3: phacoemulsification and silicone lens with PMMA haptic (264 cases).

RESULTS

Microbial contamination rate was in group 1: 5.65%, in group 2: 4.75%, and in group 3: 4.54%. The difference was not statistically significant (chi: 0.321). All contaminants were Gram positive.

CONCLUSION

Bacterial contamination rate of the anterior chamber is similar during extracapsular extraction and phacoemulsification, and is not modified when using PMMA or silicone lens.