Bacterial anterior chamber contamination with foldable silicone lens implantation using a forceps and an injector

Purpose: To compare the rate of anterior chamber (AC) contamination during implantation of a foldable three-piece silicone lens using a forceps and an injector. Setting: Department of Ophthalmology, University of Saarland, Homburg (Saar), Germany. Methods: In a prospective, randomized study, we cultured AC aspirates of patients who had phacoemulsification with silicone lens implantation through a 3.5 mm temporal clear corneal incision. In Group A, the lens was implanted with a forceps and in Group B, with an injector. Immediately after lens implantation, the AC aspirate (0.05 to 0.10 mi) was collected and sent to the microbiology department. All cultures were incubated for 3 days. As a topical antibiotic, gentamicin was given preoperatively and intraoperatively. Results: One hundred patients (50 in each group) were examined. In each group the bacterial contamination of the AC was 2%. Conclusion: Bacterial contamination of the AC was not significantly different after silicone lens implantation with a forceps and with an injector.