Normal conjunctival flora

ABSTRACT

To determine the prevalence of normal conjunctival flora and its types. An observational study. At Ophtha-lmological Department, DHQ/Allied Hospital, PMC, Faisalabad, from November 2006 to February 2007. This study was performed on 500 patients, aged form 20 years to 70 years with normal looking eyes. The samples of sterile stuart's swab were made on conjunctiva of patients, without touching eyelashes or lid margins. The swabs were touched with conjunctiva of both eyes and placed in stuart's transparent media to shift to microbiological laboratory. Out of 500 swabs 412 [82.4%] showed no growth while 78 [15.6%] showed microbial growth. Out of these 78 swabs, there were 44 [56.41%] having normal flora, while 34 [43.59%] had other pathogens. The normal looking eyes harbour different types of the organisms. Any trauma, accidental hurt or elective surgical procedure is not free from risk of conjunctival infection, keratits or endophthalmitis etc