Sterility of the aqueous humor following cataract surgery.

Preoperative bacterial culture studies have been done in the past on eyes of patients un­ dergoing cataract surgery." The purpose of these studies in part was to determine the bacterial flora of the eyelids and conjunctiva and also to determine whether any specific organisms were responsible for postopera­ tive infections. Dunnington and Khorazo show a correlation between the preoperative bacterial flora and the infrequent case in which postoperative infection occurred. The microorganisms present on the eye­ lids and conjunctiva preoperatively are free to invade the eye once the anterior chamber has been entered, as in cataract surgery. A recent case of staphylococcal endophthalmitis following an uncomplicated cataract ex­ traction at Cook County Hospital prompted us to determine whether or not microorga­ nisms can be demonstrated in cultures of the aqueous humor immediately upon completion of the cataract operation.