The bacteria were grown to produce out of 20 samples collected from 5 private optical clinics with lens training areas in the Udupi district; turbidity was noted in 7 samples, and 13 samples were non-turbid. The five contact lens case samples collected from different private optics showed 10% turbidity and 15% non-turbidity,5 samples of contact lens solution tip showed 15% turbidity and 10% non-turbidity, five samples of washing area showed 10% turbidity and 15% were non-turbidity,5 samples of cleaning towel showed 25% non-turbidity (Fig. 1). From 20 samples, 35% samples indicated growth and 65% stated that there was no growth based on turbidity in BHIB.

Demonstrates the percentage of growth in BHIB from various contact lens fitting area sites

A total of 20 samples were collected and analyzed, of which 3 were found to be lactose fermenting, 7 were non-lactose fermenting, and 10 showed no growth. On MacConkey agar, it was noted that no growth was observed in 5 samples collected from contact lens cases. In comparison, 1 sample showed a non-lactose fermenting colony in MacConkey agar from 5 samples collected from the contact lens solution tip. In addition, 3 samples indicated lactose fermenting colonies and 2 samples indicated non-lactose fermenting colonies in MacConkey agar from 5 samples collected from the washing area, and 1 sample indicated lactose fermenting colonies, and 4 samples indicated non-lactose fermenting colonies in MacConkey agar from 5 samples collected from the cleaning towel. The results showed that 15% of the samples were lactose fermenting, 35% were non-lactose fermenting, and 50% showed no growth on MacConkey agar.

Out of 20 samples collected from private optical clinics, 1 sample showed partial or alpha-hemolytic (α hemolysis), 8 samples showed complete or beta-hemolytic (β hemolysis), 6 samples showed no hemolysis or gamma hemolysis (ϫ hemolysis). 5 samples were non-hemolytic. The 5 samples collected from the contact lens case, 3 showed complete or beta-hemolytic (β hemolysis), and 1 was non-hemolytic or gamma hemolysis (ϫ hemolysis). Out of 5 samples collected from the solution tip, 2 samples showed complete or beta-hemolytic (β hemolysis), and 1 was non-hemolytic or gamma hemolysis (ϫ hemolysis) out of 5 samples collected from the washing area, 1 sample was partial or alpha-hemolytic (α hemolysis),2 samples showed complete or beta-hemolytic (β hemolysis), and 1 was non-hemolytic or gamma hemolysis (ϫ hemolysis), Out of 5 samples collected from cleaning towel 2 samples showed complete or beta-hemolytic (β hemolysis), and 3 samples were non-hemolytic or gamma hemolysis (ϫ hemolysis). 5% of samples were partial or alpha-hemolytic (α hemolysis), 40% of samples showed complete or beta-hemolytic (β hemolysis), 30% of samples showed no hemolysis or gamma hemolysis (ϫ hemolysis), 25% showed no growth.

Out of 20 samples in MacConkey agar, Gram-positive cocci were observed in 6 samples, Gram-negative bacilli were observed in 3 samples, and 11 showed no growth. Out of 20 samples, blood agar and gram-positive cocci were observed in 12 samples, gram-negative bacilli were observed in 5 samples, and 3 samples showed no growth. 1 Gram-negative bacilli, 3 Gram-positive cocci were observed in samples collected from contact lens cases, 1 Gram-negative bacilli, 4 Gram-positive cocci were observed in samples collected from solution tip, 2 Gram-negative bacilli, 7 Gram-positive cocci were observed in samples collected from washing area, 4 Gram-negative bacilli, 4 Gram-positive cocci were observed in samples collected from a cleaning towel. Out of 20 MacConkey agar and 20 blood agar samples, 45% were gram-positive cocci, 20% were gram-negative bacilli, and the remaining 35% showed no growth (Fig. 2).

Total number of Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria from samples collected from various parts of the lens fitting area