To evaluate the distribution of conjunctival bacterial flora in anophthalmic socket patients with a prosthetic eye, and compare the bacterial positive culture rates between patients with subjective symptoms such as eye wax or irritation and patients without symptoms.

Twenty-six anophthalmic socket patients with a prosthetic eye who visited our clinic between December 2009 and May 2011 were retrospectively analyzed. The patients were asked about their symptoms, followed by a conjunctiva examination. Specimens were obtained from the inferior conjunctival cul- de- sac with a sterile cotton-tipped applicator. The collected specimens were cultured.

The results indicated that the overall positive culture rate in the anophthalmic conjunctival socket was 69.2%, and the predominant organism was S. epidermidis (38.5%). Potential pathogenic bacteria were found in 4 eyes with a 15% positive culture rate. The incidence of bacteria was significantly higher (85.4%) in patient samples with subjective symptoms compared to patients without symptoms (50%). The bacterial positive culture rate of the potential pathogen bacteria in the group with symptoms was higher at 21%, but was not statistically significant.

Performing a pathogen culture test is necessary for prosthetic eye patients who complain of their symptoms. Additionally, the proper antibacterial treatment should be performed according to the antibiotics sensitivity of cultured bacteria.