title: Prophylactic use of topical anti-infectives in ophthalmology.
abstract: The prophylactic use of topical anti-infectives is indicated on the eye (1) prior to any surgery on the eye, by periorbital and conjunctival administration and, if required, intraoperatively as well; (2) in the form of the Credé prophylaxis against ophthalmia neonatorum; (3) with accidental pathogenic contamination of the eye; (4) to prevent conjunctivitis by intensive care surgical patients; (5) for the antiseptic irrigation of donor bulbi prior to keratoplasty, and (6) if required, to prevent ocular infection in a given epidemiological situation. The drug of first choice is polyvinylpyrrolidone-iodine at a concentration ranging from 1.5 to 5%. Another topical anti-infective is a 0.02 or 0.01% solution of polyhexanide, a promising medication, currently in the process of being approved.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Hygiene and Environmental Medicine, Ernst-Moritz-Arndt-University, Greifswald, Germany.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kramer
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Behrens-Baumann
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D019072:Antibiotic Prophylaxis; D015817:Eye Infections / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006801:Humans; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000517:prevention & control; D011300:Preoperative Care / Q000379:methods
chemical_list: D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions