Objective         To determine the disinfection effects of 3 different disinfection methods on corneal contact lenses used for ophthalmic examination so as to select the best disinfection method.         Methods         Three bacteria commonly seen in the ophthalmology department were selected

that is

Staphylococcus aureus

Staphylococcus epidermidis

and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Disinfection processes were carried out to the surfaces of corneal contact lenses infected with the aforesaid 3 bacteria by using 0.05% sodium dichloroisocyanurate (NaDCC)

75% ethyl alcohol (EtOH)

and chloramphenicol eye drops respectively. Samples were then collected from the surfaces of these corneal contact lenses immediately after disinfection by wiping

in 5 min after disinfection by immersion

and 10 min after disinfection by immersion to conduct germiculture

so as to compare the effects of disinfection towards commonly seen bacteria using 3 different disinfection methods and with different disinfection durations.         Results         All 3 disinfection methods were able to reduce the bacteria quantity with better disinfection effects in a time dependent manner. NaDCC and 75% EtOH effectively disinfected the lenses (all 3 bacteria) if used for a minimum of 10 min

and were significantly different compared with the chloramphenicol eye drops (P0.01). The chloramphenicol eye drops could not effectively kill all observed bacteria if used for a minimum of 10 min.         Conclusion         Disinfection by immersion using NaDCC for 10 min is a simple yet highly effective way of carrying out disinfection towards contact lenses used for ophthalmic examination

and chloramphenicol eye drops cannot be used for disinfection of corneal contact lenses.