Application of 10% Povidone Iodine Reduces Conjunctival Bacterial Contamination Rate in Patients Undergoing Cataract Surgery

Purpose To determine the efficacy of 10% povidone iodine (PVI) drops given before cataract extraction in addition to routine irrigation of the conjunctival sac with 1% PVI. Methods This prospective, randomized, single-center study at the Department of Ophthalmology, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Munich, includes 263 eyes of 242 patients undergoing cataract surgery. Patients were randomized to receive 3 drops of 10% PVI into the conjunctival sac (study group) or no PVI drops (control group). All patients underwent periorbital disinfection with 10% PVI followed by irrigation of the conjunctiva with 10 mL of 1% PVI. Specimens were obtained prior to the application of PVI, after antibiotic administration (T1), after irrigation with PVI but before surgery (T2), and at the conclusion of surgery (T3). Results After PVI disinfection, the number of positive cultures was significantly reduced in all groups (p