(AN)AEROBIC BACTERIA FOUND IN SECONDARY-CATARACT MATERIAL - A SEM TEMSTUDY/

Twentyfour patients, who had marked reduction of vision due to seconda ry-cataract developed after an ECCE, were treated by surgical cleaning of the posterior lens capsule. During this procedure globular seconda ry-cataract material was removed and collected for morphological exami nation by SEM and TEM. Fragments of various sizes and shapes, includin g 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 i n 2 cases yeasts. These findings were the more remarkable because thes e were clinically quiet eyes with no signs of intra-ocular inflammatio n 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.