Prophylactic use of topical anti-infectives in ophthalmology

The prophylactic use of topical anti-infectives is indicated on the eye (1) prior to any surgery on the eye, by periorbital and conjunctival administration and, if required, intraoperatively as well; (2) in the form of the Credé prophylaxis against ophthalmia neonatorum; (3) with accidental pathogenic contamination of the eye; (4) to prevent conjunctivitis by intensive care surgical patients; (5) for the antiseptic irrigation of donor bulbi prior to keratoplasty, and (6) if required, to prevent ocular infection in a given epidemiological situation. The drug of first choice is polyvinylpyrrolidone-iodine at a concentration ranging from 1.5 to 5%. Another topical anti-infective is a 0.02 or 0.01% solution of polyhexanide, a promising medication, currently in the process of being approved.