Inhibitory Effect of Short-Term Palpebral Margin Cleaning with Antibiotic Eye Drops on Ocular Surface Flora before Cataract Extraction: A New Preoperative Antibacterial Method.

Objective To explore the clinical significance of the combined application of palpebral margin cleaning and antibiotic eye drops in inhibiting bacterial growth in the palpebral margin and conjunctival sacs before cataract extraction. Methods In this study, 61 patients (97 eyes) with age-related cataract who underwent phacoemulsification and intraocular lens implantation were selected, and randomly grouped. In the experimental group, the combined application of palpebral margin cleaning with cotton pads and levofloxacin eye drops was given for three days before the surgery. In the control group, levofloxacin eye drops alone were applied for three consecutive days. Bacteria samples from the conjunctival sac and eyelid margins were cultivated and identified before and three days after taking antimicrobial measures, respectively. Results In the experimental group, the positive rates of the two bacteria samples were 100% (50/50) and 40% (20/50) before and 10% (5/50) and 0% (0/50) after the treatment. In the control group, the positive rates of the two bacteria samples were 97.9% (46/47) and 29.8% (14/47) before and 40.4% (19/47) and 10.6% (5/47) after the treatment. The positive rates between the two groups were not significantly different before taking antimicrobial measures (P= 0.485 and 0.395), while they were significantly different after taking antimicrobial measures (P = 0.001 and 0.024). Conclusion Combined application of eyelid and palpebral margin cleaning with cotton pads and antibiotic eye drops before cataract extraction imparted excellent antibacterial effects.

Macular edema after cataract surgery in diabetic eyes evaluated by optical coherence tomography.

AIM: To assess quantitative changes of the macula in diabetic eyes after cataract surgery using optical coherence tomography (OCT) and to estimate the incidence of development or worsening of macular edema (ME) in diabetic eyes with or without pre-existing ME. METHODS: In this prospective, observational study, 92 eyes of 60 diabetic patients who underwent cataract surgery were evaluated before surgery and 1, 3mo after surgery using OCT. Macular thickness was measured with OCT at nine macular subfields defined by the 9 zones early treatment of diabetic retinopathy study (ETDRS), as well as total macular volume obtained by OCT at 1, 3mo after surgery were compared with baseline features obtained before surgery. In addition, the incidence of development or worsening of ME was analyzed in diabetic eyes with or without pre-existing ME. RESULTS: The central subfield mean thickness increased 21.0 µm and 25.5 µm at 1, 3mo follow-up, respectively (P<0.01). The average thickness of inner ring and outer ring increased 14.2 µm and 9.5 µm at 1mo, 18.2 µm and 12.9 µm at 3mo. Central-involved ME developed in 12 eyes at 3mo, including 4 eyes with pre-existing central-involved and 8 eyes with pre-existing non-central involved ME. Pre-existing diabetic macular edema (DME) was significantly associated with central-involved ME development (P<0.001). CONCLUSION: A statistically significant increase could be detected in the central subfield as well as perifoveal and parafoveal sectors though the increase was mild. And eyes with pre-operative DME prior to cataract surgery are at higher risk for developing central-involved ME.