A survey of measures used for the prevention of postoperative endophthalmitis after cataract surgery in the United Kingdom

Purpose This study investigates the current practice of United Kingdom (UK) ophthalmologists in perioperative antibiotic and antiseptic use in cataract surgery. Materials and methods A telephone interview survey was conducted with ophthalmic staff at all ophthalmic training units in the UK in October and November 2005. Results The practices of a total of 800 consultants were ascertained. Preoperatively, 795 (99.4%) surgeons used povidone-iodine to prepare the skin. In all, 558 (69.8%) instilled 5 or 10% povidone-iodine in the conjunctival sac; 47 (5.9%) gave preoperative antibiotic eyedrops. Intraoperatively, intracameral antibiotics were given either as a bolus [ 80 (10.0%) intracameral cefuroxime, 29 (3.6%) intracameral vancomycin] or in the irrigating fluid [ 33 (4.1%) vancomycin]. 48 (6.0%) gave subconjunctival gentamycin only routinely, 531 (66.4%) gave subconjunctival cefuroxime, and 39 (4.9%) gave other subconjunctival antibiotics. A single dose of topical antibiotics was given by 134 (16.8%) surgeons. Postoperatively, 515 (64.4%) used a combination steroid and neomycin eyedrop, and 213 (26.6%) gave a separate steroid and chloramphenicol eyedrop. Conclusions This study reveals wide variations in the choice and duration of antibiotics used by UK ophthalmologists. The predominant methods of intraoperative prophylaxis are subconjunctival cefuroxime and intracameral cefuroxime. Most surgeons used a neomycin eyedrop for postoperative prophylaxis.