The efficacy of 5% povidone-iodine for 3 minutes prior to cataract surgery.

Abstract

PURPOSE:

To evaluate the efficacy of 3 minutes of 5% povidone-iodine for skin and conjunctival antisepsis prior to cataract surgery as recommended by the European Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons.

METHODS:

A prospective controlled study of 54 patients undergoing unilateral cataract surgery by phacoemulsification was undertaken. The eye undergoing surgery was prepared with 5% povidone-iodine for 3 minutes. The other eye served as control. Swabs were taken from both eyes prior to application of 5% povidone-iodine and 3 minutes after. Proportion of culture-positive swabs, mean number of species, and growth of isolates on culture were compared at different times and between the two groups.

RESULTS:

Coagulase-negative Staphylococcus (CoNS) was the main species isolated from culture-positive swabs. Use of 5% povidone-iodine for 3 minutes resulted in a statistically significant reduction in proportion of culture-positive swabs (87% vs 30%, p<0.001), mean number of species (0.96-/+0.47 vs 0.30-/+0.46, p<0.001), and growth of CoNS (heavy: 30% vs 0%, moderate: 23% vs 6%, light: 47% vs 94%, p=0.004). No such changes were observed in the control group.

CONCLUSIONS:

Use of 5% povidone-iodine for 3 minutes prior to cataract surgery achieves a significant reduction in organisms such as CoNS from lid and conjunctival flora.

• Authors: Zia I Carrim, Gordon Mackie, Grace Gallacher, William N Wykes
• Journal: European journal of ophthalmology (Eur J Ophthalmol) 2009 Jul-Aug Vol. 19 Issue 4 Pg. 560-4 ISSN: 1120-6721 [Print] United States
• PMID: 19551669 (Publication Type: Controlled Clinical Trial, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Anti-Infective Agents, Local
• Povidone-Iodine

Topics

• Anti-Infective Agents, Local (therapeutic use)
• Antibiotic Prophylaxis
• Bacteria (isolation & purification)
• Conjunctiva (drug effects, microbiology)
• Endophthalmitis (microbiology, prevention & control)
• Eye Infections (microbiology, prevention & control)
• Eyelids (drug effects, microbiology)
• Humans
• Phacoemulsification
• Povidone-Iodine (therapeutic use)
• Prospective Studies
• Time Factors
• Treatment Outcome