Preoperative eye disinfection in vitrectomy surgery using antibiotic or antiseptic eyedrops

To determine the efficacy of preoperative eye disinfection by comparing antibiotic and antiseptic eye drops.

Prospective, randomized double-masked comparative study with three study arms: untreated, antibiotic treated and antiseptic treated.

Patients that were scheduled for vitrectomy were asked to use an antibiotic or antiseptic eye drop 4 times a day, 5 days before the surgery. Conjunctival smear was cultured at the onset of the surgery. Culture results for each study arm were compared.

Comparable results were found in the patients treated with an antibiotic or antiseptic eye drop.

Since an antiseptic eye drop will cause less bacterial resistance than an antibiotic eye drop, and both treatments have a similar antibacterial effect, this study indicates that prophylactic antiseptic eye drops may be preferred over antibiotic treatment, when prophylaxis is needed.