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Can antiseptic scrubs between cataract surgeries reduce bacterial load on surgical gloves to safe levels?
  1. P K Nirmalan,
  2. P Lalitha,
  3. V N Prajna
  1. Aravind Eye Care System, Madurai, India
  1. Correspondence to: Praveen K Nirmalan LAICO, Aravind Eye Care System, 72, Kuruvikaran Salai, Gandhi Nagar, Madurai-625020, Tamil Nadu, India; praveenaravind.org

https://doi.org/10.1136/bjo.2003.025437

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    Although previous studies have reported on aspirate cultures after cataract surgery,1–3 the minimum strength of inoculum causing endophthalmitis or the route through which the pathogen enters the eye remains unclear. A recent study reported the use of operative face masks to have a significant effect on the bacterial load falling on the operative site.4 Although cataract extraction and lens implant is a procedure of relatively short duration, airborne bacterial contamination of surgical gloves is still possible from the environment in the operating theatre. We designed a study to determine if antiseptic scrubs of surgical gloves between cataract surgeries will reduce bacterial load to levels equivalent to a new pair of sterile gloves.

    We obtained approval of the ethics committee of the institute before initiating the study, and obtained necessary consent from participating subjects. Cataract surgery with intraocular lens implants was carried out through a self sealing …

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    Footnotes

    • Financial interest: none.