Am Orthopt J   46:155-158  (1996).

The Bacteriology of Congenital Lacrimal Obstruction

Maureen A. Kelly, John W Simon, M.D., Richard A. Venezia, Ph.D. and Jordan Kassoff, M.D.

Little is known concerning the flora associated with congenital lacrimal duct obstruction. Because one patient developed a lid abscess related to an unexpected organism (Eikenella corrodens) following apparently uneventful lacrimal probing, we have cultured all children undergoing this procedure. A total of 121 patients (aged 2 weeks to 39 months, mean 14 months) were studied. Positive cultures were obtained in 66. Predominant organisms included alpha-hemolytic streptococci, S. pneumoniae, coagulase negative staphylococci, diphtheroid-like gram positive bacteria, H. influenza, and P aeuroginosa. Probing success was not related to culture results. No postoperative infection was encountered after the index case. Erythromycin ointment seems effective prophylaxis, since it covers most organisms encountered.

© 1996 The Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin System