Objective:
To evaluate the effectiveness of 30 seconds of exposure to aqueous chlorhexidine 0.05% in reducing conjunctival bacteria before intravitreal injections (IVIs).
Approach:
- Study Design: A prospective, randomized study involving 122 eyes of 72 patients comparing 30-second, 60-second, and 90-second exposure times to 0.05% aqueous chlorhexidine before IVI.
- Bacterial Culture Assessment: Conjunctival cultures were obtained before antisepsis and after treatment, cultured on sheep blood agar for 5 days to assess changes in bacterial load.
Key Findings:
- Culture positivity decreased significantly in all groups: 67.5% to 12.5% (30 seconds), 70% to 15% (60 seconds), and 71.4% to 14.3% (90 seconds).
- Reduction in individual colony-forming units (CFUs) was similar across groups: 84.1% (30 seconds), 85.2% (60 seconds), and 84.5% (90 seconds).
- 30-second exposure was superior to the 75% CFU reduction reported with povidone-iodine in a previous study.
Interpretation:
A standardized 30-second exposure protocol for 0.05% aqueous chlorhexidine before IVI is suggested, providing a less irritating alternative to povidone-iodine.
Conclusion:
No infectious endophthalmitis, corneal toxicity, allergic reactions, or other adverse events were observed.
Sources:
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