Effects of povidone-iodine chemical preparation and saline irrigation on the perilimbal flora

• Published in: Ophthalmology (Rochester, Minn.) Vol. 99; no. 10; p. 1569
• Main Authors: Boes, D A, Lindquist, T D, Fritsche, T R, Kalina, R E
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 01-10-1992
• Subjects: Bacteria - drug effects; Bacteria - isolation & purification; Colony Count, Microbial; Conjunctiva - microbiology; Disinfection; Eye Infections, Bacterial - drug therapy; Humans; Limbus Corneae - microbiology; Microbiological Techniques; Povidone-Iodine - pharmacology; Preoperative Care; Sodium Chloride; Therapeutic Irrigation
• ISSN: 0161-6420
• DOI: 10.1016/S0161-6420(92)31765-8

To analyze the effects of 5% povidone-iodine preparation and saline irrigation on the species composition of perilimbal flora.
Cultures were taken from the perilimbal conjunctiva in 100 eyes before preparation for ophthalmic surgery, after instillation of povidone-iodine solution, and after saline irrigation.
Bacteria were isolated in 75% of eyes before preparation, in 28% after povidone-iodine instillation, and in 24% after saline irrigation. Fifty-one culture-positive eyes became negative with povidone-iodine, while only four culture-negative eyes became culture-positive (P < 0.001). The number of eyes yielding coagulase-negative staphylococci, Staphylococcus aureus, and Propionibacterium were significantly decreased after povidone-iodine instillation. Twenty-three culture-positive eyes became negative after saline irrigation, while 19 culture-negative eyes became culture-positive (P > 0.25).
Povidone-iodine solution is effective in reducing bacterial recovery from the perilimbal conjunctiva, where most incisions for intraocular surgery occur. Saline irrigation after povidone-iodine preparation has no significant effect.