Assessment of Bacterial Contamination in Used Cosmetic Contact Lenses Among Women Visiting Beauty Salons in Sabratha City

This study aimed to assess bacterial contamination in cosmetic contact lenses used by women visiting beauty salons in Sabratha city and to evaluate the antibacterial susceptibility of the isolated bacteria. A total of 50 used soft cosmetic contact lenses and 5 new (unused) lenses were collected in April 2023. The lenses were swabbed, and samples were incubated in nutrient broth for bacterial isolation, followed by streaking on different agar plates (nutrient agar, MacConkey agar, and blood agar). Antibiotic susceptibility was tested using the Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion method, with various antibiotics. The results showed that all 5 unused lenses were free from contamination, while 43 out of 50 used lenses (86%) exhibited microbial contamination. The most commonly isolated bacteria were Pseudomonas aeruginosa (35%), Staphylococcus epidermidis (25%), and Staphylococcus aureus (15%), along with other species (11%). Antibiotic susceptibility testing revealed that Ciprofloxacin, Cefotaxime, Ceftriaxone, and Imipenem had the highest antibacterial effectiveness, with inhibition zones ranging from 26 mm to 30 mm. Gentamycin, Amikacin, and Tobramycin showed moderate effectiveness, while Cefuroxime and Augmentin had lower effectiveness. Cloxacillin showed no antibacterial activity. The findings emphasize the high risk of bacterial contamination in cosmetic contact lenses, stressing the importance of maintaining strict hygiene practices to prevent eye infections. Proper disinfection and storage in sterile solutions are crucial for ensuring lens safety and longevity, while effective antibiotic treatments are necessary to control bacterial contamination.