Anterior Chamber Contamination during Phacoemulsification after Povidone-Iodine Application
Pornchai Simaroj MD*, Suvicha Kompreyarat MD*, Pitak Santanirand PhD**, Kaevalin Lekhanont MD*
Affiliation : * Department of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Medicine, Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand ** Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
Objective : To determine the rate of anterior chamber contamination during phacoemulsification after applying 5% povidone-
iodine prior to surgery.
Material and Method: One hundred eyes from 100 patients having phacoemulsification cataract surgery by a single surgeon
at Ramathibodi Hospital between October 2010 and March 2011 were included in the present study. Povidone-iodine 5%
solution eye drops were used in all patients at least three minutes before the operation. Anterior chamber fluid was aspirated
at the end of the procedure for culture in chocolate agar.
Results : Anterior chamber fluid cultures were positive in three eyes (Pseudomanas oryzihabitans in 1 eye, Klebsiella
pneumoni in 1 eye, and yeast in 1 eye). These three patients had no exaggerated or prolonged postoperative intraocular
inflammation compared to others. No patients in the present study developed endophthalmitis.
Conclusion : Povidone-iodine 5% solution eye drops before operation may control microbial contamination during
phacoemulsification.
Keywords : Anterior chamber contamination, Phacoemulsification, Povidone-iodine
