title: Outpatient topical use of povidone-iodine in preparing the eye for surgery.
abstract: Povidone-iodine 5% solution placed on the eye immediately before ophthalmic surgery within the preoperative preparation significantly reduces the conjunctival bacterial flora. In 40 patients undergoing ophthalmic surgery, the authors compared the outpatient use of povidone-iodine for 3 days before surgery with a 3-day course of a combination antibiotic ophthalmic solution (Neosporin) placed on the other eye. All patients also received topical povidone-iodine on the operating table directly preceding surgery. Cultures taken just before preparation of the operative field showed a similar reduction of bacteria by each regimen. Cultures taken after preparation but before commencement of surgery showed a further reduction for both regimens, but more for eyes previously treated with the antibiotic (P less than 0.02). To minimize the conjunctival bacterial flora before surgery, the authors continue to recommend instillation of a broad-spectrum antibiotic for 3 days before surgery, followed by application of povidone-iodine solution to the eye immediately before surgery within the preoperative preparation.
authors.affiliation: Jules Stein Eye Institute, UCLA School of Medicine 90024-1771.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Apt
authors.forename: S J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Isenberg
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Yoshimori
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Spierer
mesh_terms: D000553:Ambulatory Care; D001419:Bacteria / Q000187:drug effects; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D009877:Endophthalmitis / Q000382:microbiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005128:Eye Diseases / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions; D011205:Povidone / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D011206:Povidone-Iodine / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D011300:Preoperative Care; D011897:Random Allocation; D013530:Surgical Wound Infection / Q000382:microbiology / Q000517:prevention & control*
chemical_list: D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions; D011206:Povidone-Iodine; D011205:Povidone