Eye Swab Culture

Synonyms

None

Purpose

Eye Swab Culture is performed to isolate and identify Bacterial & Fungal Pathogens in the eye. The test is usually prescribed for the investigation of superficial bacterial eye infections.

Patient Preparation

Where possible”,” the patient must not be under any antimicrobial therapy before test.

Samples

One eye swab collected in a sterile screw-cap container. The swab should be rubbed gently over the conjunctival membrane while avoiding the cornea and immediately returned into container after collection. Maintained at room temperature.

Reference Range

Negative/Normal

Results Turnaround

2 – days after receipt of samples.

Diseases / Diagnostic indicators

Susceptibility test is performed on obtained isolates and the identified pathogens more often indicate either conjunctivitis (pink eye)”,” ophthalmia neonatorum or canaliculitis.