Are Pre-Op Antibiotics Necessary Prior to Intravitreal Injection?
August 27, 2009
A small study reports that preoperative antibiotic drops are not necessary prior to intravitreal injection. Topical povidone-iodine is sufficient. In the study of 273 injections, approximately half were treated with topical antibiotics 3 days prior to surgery. All patients received povidone-iodine prior to injection. Bacterial cultures were obtained just prior to injection and after povidone-iodine instillation.
In those that used antibiotics, fewer bacterial cultures were positive compared to the no antibiotic group. There was no difference, however, between the two groups after povidone-iodine instillation.
I have been using antibiotic drops prior to intravitreal injections for years. What do you use?
Randall V. Wong, M.D.
www.RetinaEyeDoctor.com
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