formed annually in the United States, a size-
able number of patients are at risk. The same
holds true for intravitreal injections, of which
over 7 million are performed in the United
States each year for conditions such as wet
macular degeneration, diabetic macular
edema and diabetic retinopathy. Although the
risk of post-injection endophthalmitis is low
— estimated to be between 1 in 2,000 and 1 in
5,000 — a significant number of patients have
the potential to be affected.
Post-cataract surgery or post-injection
endophthalmitis can happen no matter how
careful physicians are during procedures, but
there are ways to minimize the risks.
• Pre-operatively. Meibomian gland dys-
function or blepharitis should be optimized
before surgery with lid hygiene management.
Avoid concurrent nasolacrimal duct surgeries
at the time of cataract surgery, as these proce-
dures have been found to increase the risk of
post-operative endophthalmitis.
• Prepping. Staphylococcus species bacteria
are responsible for more than half of post-
cataract endophthalmitis cases. Most of the
bacteria live on eyelashes, eyelid margins and
periorbital skin, stressing the importance of
proper pre-operative prepping.
Generously apply 10% povidone-iodine to
the periorbital area. I also like to "paint" indi-
1 2 2 • O U T PA T I E N T S U R G E R Y M A G A Z I N E • N O V E M B E R 2 0 1 9
9 Orchard, Suite 111
Lake Forest, CA 92630
www.optisurgical.com
info@optisurgical.com
Call AOI for Information
800.576.1266 or
949.580.1266
Instrument Rinse System
®
• For rinsing lumened instruments
and tubing
• Provides consistent rinsing
pressure and volume
regardless of the operator
• Eliminates hand fatigue caused
by repetitive syringe use
• Frees up your hands to perform
other tasks, greatly improving
the speed and efficiency of
your reprocessing department
Still rinsing
with a syringe?
Use the
New for , Waterproof
Cycle& Stop Switches!
