Effect of vancomycin on Staphylococcus epidermidis adherence to poly(methyl methacrylate) intraocular lenses

PURPOSE: To study the adherence of Staphylococcus epidermidis in variable loads (10(8) cfu/mL and 10(3) cfu/mL) to poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) intraocular lenses (IOLs) and to evaluate the effect of vancomycin treatment on S epidermidis adherence to the IOL. SETTING: L.V. Prasad Eye Institute, Hyderabad, India. METHODS: The study was designed in 2 parts. Phase I: Twelve PMMA IOLs were soaked in a solution of S epidermidis, randomized to 10(8) cfu/mL or 10(3) cfu/mL. They were rinsed or rinsed and vortexed and cultured. Phase II: Twelve IOLs were treated with vancomycin (10 mg/mL), randomized to before and after treatment with S epidermidis. RESULTS: Staphylococcus epidermidis adhered to all portions of the IOL with 10(8) cfu/mL and 10(3) cfu/mL bacterial loads. Treatment with vancomycin reduced S epidermidis adherence. CONCLUSION: Pretreatment of an IOL with vancomycin or a suitable antibiotic agent appears to reduce bacterial adherence to the IOL. Placement of a sustained-release device that could release an antibiotic agent over a specific period, reducing the incidence of postcataract endophthalmitis, should be studied.