The Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust

Opthalmic culture (other than conjunctival swabs)

Opthalmic culture (other than conjunctival swabs)

Infections of the inner eye are caused by a variety of organisms some of which are more difficult to culture. The laboratory uses a variety of culture media to recover any aerobic, anaerobic and fungal isolates resulting in a longer turnaround time compared with conjunctival eyes swabs.

Tube White top universal
ID 3630
Availability Mon- Sun 8.30 - 5pmAcute samples of can be cultured and a microscopy performed out of hours on request
Additional Information Corneal scrapes are usually sent directly inoculated on to culture plates in theatre. Plate sets are sent routinely to Ophthalmology at St James. For other users wishing to send these samples please contact the laboratory 0113 (39) 22294
Turn Around 10 days
Send to LGI Microbiology Department
Collection Con Observe aseptic sampling technique. Transport the sample to the laboratory as quickly as possible. Note: The recovery of anaerobes is compromised if the transport time exceeds 3 hours.
It is advisable to add some sterile normal saline to biopsy samples to prevent any desiccation of the material during transport.
IP Routine TAT 10 days
GP Routine TAT 10 days