AIM: To isolate and identify the organisms from the conjunctival flora of normal population

Methods Conjunctival swabs obtained from healthy eyes of  84 patients who attended outpatient dept. of ophthalmology at VSSIMSAR, Burla for refraction and/or cataract surgery, were analyzed for growth of microorganisms. Results The most commonly isolated organisms from conjunctival swabs of healthy eyes were coagulase–negative Staphylococcus (25%), fungus (21.42%), Staphylococcus aureus (9.5%),diphtheroids in 6 (7.14%), Hemophilus in 4 (4.76%) and unidentified gram negative bacilli  in 4 (4.76%) of culture positive eyes. Conclusions There is a high prevalence of fungal and bacterial colonization of healthy eyes in population of western odisha. A relationship may exist between resident normal flora and the etiology of ocular infections.