Purpose: To evaluate the effect of ocular draping on rates of bacterial contamination of the ocular surface immediately after intravitreal injection using a plate-type eyelid speculum.
Methods: Twelve institutions participated in this prospective randomized study. Patients from each institution undergoing intravitreal injections were randomly assigned to 2 groups, with and without ocular draping. Following each institution's standard protocol for aseptic preparation, intravitreal injection was performed using a plate-type eyelid speculum designed for intravitreal injections with or without draping. Immediately after the intravitreal injection, a cotton swab was used to obtain a sample at the injection site and sent for bacterial culture.
Results: Of 262 eyes involved in the study, cultures were positive in five eyes (1.9%) using standard methods and positive in an additional 25 eyes (9.5%) using methods to increase culture sensitivity. There was no significant difference in the combined rate of bacterial contamination between the 2 groups (p=0.561, Fisher's exact test).
Conclusion: Ocular draping did not decrease the rate of bacterial contamination immediately after intravitreal injection performed using a plate-type eyelid speculum.
Nippon Ganka Gakkai Zasshi (J Jpn Ophthalmol Soc) 118: 640-644, 2014.