Microbial contamination of ultrasound biomicroscopy probes: evaluation of cross-infection risk.

Ultrasound biomicroscopy (UBM) is being used increasingly in cataract and refractive surgery to evaluate phacomorphic lenses, dislocated intraocular lenses, misplaced haptics, sulcus-to-sulcus measurements for implantable Collamer lenses (ICLs), ciliary body cysts before ICL implantation, retained lens fragments, and anterior effusions. In a previous report, biometry apparatus grew pathogenic flora despite routine disinfection with alcohol swabs, suggesting the risk for cross-contamination if the equipment is not sterilized. Ultrasound biomicroscopy probes may have the same risk because of identical disinfection methods. Recently, the ClearScan cover (ESI, Inc.), a U.S. Food and Drug Administration-approved sterile bag, has been developed as amore comfortable and less traumatic alternative to the open-shell/gel technique for UBM. This study investigates microbial inoculation of the sterile bag covers after single use andwhether this contamination carries a realistic risk for cross-infection.