Chemical preparation of skin and eye in ophthalmic surgery: an international survey.

We surveyed 214 ophthalmologists worldwide to learn their methods of preoperative chemical preparation of eye and skin. A 96.8% return rate was achieved. While a wide diversity of agents was reported, povidone-iodine was the most popular agent applied to the skin. The conjunctiva usually was either ignored or rinsed with a saline solution by the respondents. Almost a quarter used mild silver protein (Argyrol) on the conjunctiva. Most of the preparation is performed by the physician rather than the nurse. Review of the advantages and pitfalls of the agents reported should cause the ophthalmologist to reconsider these agents for their effectiveness, spectrum, and duration of action.