Microbiological evaluation of contact lenses and contact lens disinfection solutions in an asymptomatic population and in medical personnel.

Purpose: To compare the contamination of contact lenses and contact lens disinfection solutions in a population of contact lenses wearers comprised of medical personnel and non-medical subjects.

Methods: Forty-six medical personnel working in an infectious environment and 35 non-medical subjects were enrolled in the study. Contact lenses and contact lens disinfecting solutions were cultured and potential pathogens were isolated.

Results: The frequency of isolation of pathogens from the contact lenses of medical personnel was significantly higher than from non-medical subjects. There was no growth in both the contact lens and the disinfecting solution cultures in 56.5% of the subjects in the medical personnel group, and in 57.1% of non-medical group of subjects. Both the contact lens and disinfecting solution cultures were positive in 21.7% of the medical personnel group, while in the non-medical group, only 2.9% of subjects had positive cultures.

Conclusions: Microbacterial contamination of contact lenses and disinfection solution was more frequent in the medical personnel group compared with non-medical subjects. In the medical personnel group, the most frequently isolated microorganism was Staphylococcus albus (19.8%), which is seen in hospital infections. Because soft and rigid gas permeable contact lens usage was approximately equal, we conclude that medical personnel are more prone to contamination.