[Persistence and transient conjunctival pathogen colonization before planned intraocular interventions].

The risk of a postoperative endophthalmitis is influenced by the presence of a significant bacterial colonisation of the conjunctiva before intraocular surgery. Between February and August 1990 we performed conjunctival smears in 481 patients 1) on the eve of the operation and 2) just before planned intraocular surgery, to evaluate a persistent or transient microbial colonisation of the conjunctiva. 352 patients showed insignificant ("negative") and 129 patients a significant ("positive") bacterial growth in the first conjunctival smear. 96% of the patients (n = 336) had a negative result in both smears. 30% of the patients (n = 37) with a positive conjunctival smear showed a persisting bacterial colonisation, whereas 70% of the patients (n = 92) had a transient colonisation of the conjunctiva with a negative second smear. As a persisting microbial colonisation of the conjunctiva may be an important factor for the development of postoperative endophthalmitis, we recommend prophylactic conjunctival smears before surgery to diminish the risk of intraocular infections after surgery.