Abstract
Abstract: :
Purpose: To determine whether endophthalmitis after cataract surgery increases with 1) scleral tunnel vs clear cornea incision 2) lack of sutures or hydration at the incision site and/or 3) antibiotics pre/intra/post cataract surgery. Methods: Retrospective chart review of 33 patients diagnosed with endophthalmitis after cataract surgery (maximum time of 120 days) from 1999–2002. Results: Statistically significant results indicated more cases of endophthalmitis with betadine prep and topical antibiotics pre–operatively than betadine alone. Results were insignificant for endophthalmitis rates between clear cornea vs scleral tunnel incisions and lack of sutures or hydration at the incision site. Conclusions: Scleral tunnel incisions, clear cornea incisions along with lack of sutures or hydration at the incision site showed no statistical difference in endophthalmitis rates after cataract surgery. On the other hand betadine prep alone, pre–operatively, showed a decreased incidence of endophthalmitis after cataract surgery
Keywords: cataract • endophthalmitis