Bacterial Contamination of Contact Lenses Among Some Female Students and Employee of College of Education-Ibn AI­ Haitham, University of Baghdad

During the last few years, an increase in utilization of contact lenses (both cosmetic and correction of refractive errors lenses) was noticed among young females, with an increase in eye infections. The present invocation was carried out to demonstrate the percentage of bacterial contamination of both the preservation fluid and lens containers. Fiftytwo contact lenses users among female students and emlployees of college of Education-Ibn Al- Haitham were surveyed. Data were obtained on methods of usage and results of microbial examination. The following points were reached. 1- Gram-negative bacteria were the most common ones, especially Pseudomonas aeroginosa with 38.9% of the total isolates. 2- Results of sensitivity tests for antibiotics revealed that ofloxacin, ciprofloxacin, chloramphenicol, gentamycin and tobramycin were effective against isolated bacteria from containers and preservative fluids of content lenses. 3- Improper and non hygienic measures were employed especially in connection with keeping the preservative fluid and the containers tidy.