Ocular Applications of Povidone-Iodine

Abstract

Ocular infections can have devastating consequences and may lead to blindness. Povidone-iodine (PVP-I) has many potential advantages over the currently used drugs, including a broader antibacterial spectrum, it turns the surface of the eye brown for a few minutes, bacterial resistance has not been seen and it is cheaper than other agents. PVP-I has made a significant contribution to pre- and postoperative ocular surgical prophylaxis, ophthalmia neonatorum prophylaxis and treatment of bacterial conjunctivitis. Scientific support for these applications includes studies conducted over the past 17 years, which are reviewed.

Effect of povidone–iodine concentration and exposure time on bacteria isolated from endophthalmitis cases

“…4,5 By the early 1990s, the use of topical povidone-iodine in preoperative conjunctival and eyelid preparation gained popularity, and it remains the most widely accepted ocular disinfectant. [6][7][8] Povidone-iodine has been found to be effective against a wide range of bacteria, fungi, protozoa, and viruses. [9][10][11] However, as with antibiotic agents, resistance, regardless of its mechanism (eg, true or pseudo), can be a concern with disinfectant agents and must be monitored periodically.…”

Epidemic keratoconjunctivitis: A review of current concepts in management

“…35---37 Povidone-iodine has a broad antimicrobial spectrum in vitro and effectively kills bacteria, fungi, viruses and protozoa. 35,36 A study by Pelletier et al investigated a topical combination agent that contained 0.4% povidone-iodine as an anti-viral and 0.1% dexamethasone as a potent steroid. 37 The expectation of the study was to ''effectively treat both the inflammatory and infectious components of acute adenoviral conjunctivitis by decreasing the symptomatic period following infection, shortening the duration of viral shedding and reducing the potential for infectious transmission.''…”

In vitro efficacy of a povidone–iodine 0.4% and dexamethasone 0.1% suspension against ocular pathogens

“…5 This combination suspension was developed to eliminate the organisms responsible for infection while simultaneously reducing the inflammatory damage that often accompanies ocular surface infection. Successful use has been reported in human adenoviral conjunctivitis.…”