Bacteriologic Study of "Donor" Eyes

Abstract

A bacteriologic study of 240 eyes obtained postmortem revealed 100% positive cultures. The bacterial flora of these eyes was qualitatively similar to the bacterial flora of normal eyes but there was an increase in the number of gramnegative potential pathogens. Evaluation of two commonly used methods of soaking the donor eyes in antiseptic solutions indicated that they did not sterilize the eye but could spread the contamination. It was found that a neomycinpolymyxin B solution used to irrigate the cornea produced negative cultures or notably diminished the contamination of this tissue. Removal of the corneal epithelium with a gauze also decreased the contamination or produced negative cultures in some instances.