[Modification of the conjuntival flora with cleaning palpebral solutions]. / Modificación de la flora conjuntival por el empleo de soluciones de higiene palpebral.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study is to evaluate the effectiveness of a solution of palpebral hygiene during the preoperative stage of cataract surgery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We studied 286 patients divided in 5 groups. One control group that did not use the product, and the remaining 4, that used the product during 3, 4, 5 and 6 days. The design of the study was prospective, randomize and masked. We took a sample of the conjunctival fundus in the morning of the day of the surgery, before commencing treatment with eye drops. This sample was sown according to microbiological techniques and analyzed by the microbiology department. RESULTS: The best time for using palpebral hygiene solutions prior to cataract surgery is four to five days. If it is used at less than three days, it does not decrease the rate of positive cultures and if the solution is applied more than six days, microorganisms that are not part of the common conjunctival flora may appear. CONCLUSIONS: Palpebral hygiene products should not be used more than five consecutive days previous to surgery.