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(An)aerobic bacteria found in secondary-cataract material

A SEM/TEM study

Documenta Ophthalmologica volume 82, pages 125–133 (1992)Cite this article

Abstract

Twentyfour patients, who had marked reduction of vision due to secondary-cataract developed after an ECCE, were treated by surgical cleaning of the posterior lens capsule. During this procedure globular secondary-cataract material was removed and collected for morphological examination by SEM and TEM. Fragments of various sizes and shapes, including some with a ‘golfball’ structure, were seen; these closely resembled particles frequently found in cataractous lenses. In addition, in 18 patients micro-organisms were found: rod-shaped bacteria, cocci, and in 2 cases yeasts. These findings were the more remarkable because these were clinically quiet eyes with no signs of intra-ocular inflammation and cultures have been persistently negative. We imagine that these bacteria must have entered the eye during the cataract extraction and have settled there without causing an infection.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Histology and Cell Biology Laboratory, University of Groningen, The Netherlands

    D. Kalicharan & W. L. Jongebloed

  2. Eye Clinic, University Hospital, Groningen, The Netherlands

    L. I. Los & J. G. F. Worst

Authors
  1. D. Kalicharan
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  2. W. L. Jongebloed
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  3. L. I. Los
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  4. J. G. F. Worst
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Kalicharan, D., Jongebloed, W.L., Los, L.I. et al. (An)aerobic bacteria found in secondary-cataract material. Doc Ophthalmol 82, 125–133 (1992). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00157002

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00157002

Key words

  • (An)aerobic bacteria
  • ECCE
  • Golfball structure
  • Micro-organisms
  • Quiet eyes
  • Secondary-cataract
  • SEM/TEM