Povidone-iodine and antibiotics effective for cataract surgery

Preoperative povidone-iodine and postoperative intracameral antibiotic injections are recommended for endophthalmitis prophylaxis, claims a recent paper.

Dr J. Vazirani et al., Cornea and Anterior Segment Services, L V Prasad Eye Institute, Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh, India, conducted a review on the results of a European multicentre trial documenting a reduced risk of endophthalmitis with postoperative intracameral cefuroxime injections. The assessment also included studies from worldwide multicentre studies on the benefits of intracameral antibiotics.

It was discovered that intracameral antibiotics are becoming routine protocol after cataract surgery. However, the application of povidone-iodine before cataract surgery remains a universal practice.

The most popular form of antibiotic prophylaxis is topical fluoroquinolone application and the most promising approach is the development of novel drug delivery for sustained antibiotic release.

The abstract can be found in the Current Opinion in Ophthalmology.

If you are interested in this topic you can read more information on the use of intracameral antibiotics to prevent post-op endophthalmitis following cataract surgery here.