The aim of this clinical trial is to evaluate the effectiveness of two topical antiseptics, povidone-iodine (PVI) and chlorhexidine (CHX), in reducing conjunctival bacterial flora.
70 patients undergoing cataract surgery were enrolled and randomly divided in two arms: 35 patients used PVI 0.66% 4 times daily starting 3 days before surgery; 35 patients used CHX 0.02% with the same posology. The contralateral eye was considered as control. Conjunctival swabs were collected in both eyes at the baseline (T0) and after three days of treatment (T1) all before cataract surgery. Conjunctival bacterial load has been evaluated through a molecular based method at T0 and T1 and compared to the control eye.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
PREVENTION
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
70
Povidone-iodine 0.66% eye drops were instilled 4 times daily for 3 days before cataract surgery in the eye to be operated on. The contralateral eye was considered as control and received no treatment.
Chlorhexidine 0.02% eye drops were instilled 4 times daily for 3 days before cataract surgery in the eye to be operated on. The contralateral eye was considered as control and received no treatment.
Azienda Socio Sanitaria Territoriale degli Spedali Civili di Brescia
Brescia, Italy
Conjunctival composition
Molecular based method: 16S rRNA gene was sequenced to evaluate ocular microbiota
Time frame: 3 days. Conjunctival swabs were taken at baseline and after 3 days of treatment.
Patient pain score
Numerical rating scale, from 0 to 10
Time frame: Day 3: after 3 days of treatment
Compliance of the patients
Questionnaire about patients' compliance
Time frame: Day 3: after 3 days of treatment
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