Assessment of possible toxic effects of polyvinylpyrrolidone-iodine upon the human eye in conjunction with cataract extraction. An endothelial specular microscope study.

Polyvinylpyrrolidone-iodine is known as an efficient broad spectrum disinfectant with a low toxicity to living tissues. The effect of pre-operative conjunctival sac disinfection upon the corneal vitality is examined by means of endothelial photographs and pachymetry. One group of patients, who had uneventful intracapsular cataract extraction after instillation of PVP-iodine into the conjunctival sac, was compared with a control group, who underwent the same operation without PVP-iodine instillation. No corneal damage in terms of increased endothelial cell loss or corneal swelling is found in the PVP-iodine treated patients. The compound is recommended for more general ophthalmic use.