[Visualization of normal ocular surface microflora via impression cytology sample using scanning electron microscopy with lanthanide contrasting].

Purpose: To determine the possibilities of impression cytology (IC) with subsequent visualization of the sample on a scanning electron microscope in assessment of normal microflora of the ocular surface.
Materials and Methods: The article presents a visual characteristic of the microorganisms of the ocular surface (OS) captured during impression cytology (IC) in individuals without signs of inflammatory and degenerative eye diseases. The original method of staining the sample with heavy metal salts made it possible to identify the individual signs of the microorganisms in their subsequent visualization by scanning electron microscopy (SEM).
Results: The paper presents photomicrographs of the microorganisms most common for the OS obtained with the help of SEM, confirming and supplementing the data of non-visual methods of studying the ocular microflora. It was shown that the detection frequency of the microbial component of the OS by the visual method presented in this study is comparable with the detection frequency when using the microbial cultivation method (<80%). Coccoid and rod-shaped microorganisms were detected with relatively equal frequency, with the coccoid organisms mainly represented in association with epithelial cells. The morphological diversity of rod-shaped microorganisms is shown.
Conclusion: The results of the study can be used as a visual reference for the normal microbiome of the eye.