The Journal of Cataract & Refractive Surgery recently published results of a study regarding the use of intraoperative antibiotic injection post cataract surgery to reduce the risk of postoperative endophthalmitis.
Researchers analyzed data from 54 studies of almost 7 million cataract surgeries. The analysis found that patients receiving the intraoperative antibiotic injection had a 79% reduction in developing postoperative endophthalmitis compared to patients receiving post-operative antibiotic drops.
The study findings bolster previous evidence that the administration of intraoperative antibiotics is a viable infection-prevention strategy and also gives patients an option that reduces the need for postoperative medications.
The results did not offer detailed comparisons of specific antibiotics used or the dosing strategies or injection routes. Safety outcomes were also not reported.
