Introduction: Post-operative endophthalmitis, although infrequent, leads to severe, often irreversible consequences. For many years in the medical literature there have been reports on the effectiveness of various forms of prevention including antibiotics used.
Aim: The aim of this study was to systematize the principles of prevention on the basis of the literature.
Material: Medical reports published in recent years were compared to the conclusions of the European Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons (ESCRS) conducted in 16 European countries between 2003 and 2005.
Results: The results indicate the lack of a uniform pattern of conduct not only in a global context, but even within European countries. Povidone iodine remains the basis of prophylaxis used before surgery to decontaminate the skin of eyelids and conjunctival sac. Topical antibiotics, mainly the new generation fluoroquinolones, are also commonly used perioperatively. Intracameral injections of cefuroxime at the end of surgery are increasingly used in endophthalmitis prophylaxis. Although their high efficacy and safety have been confirmed a few years ago, the drug formulation intended and registered for use in ophthalmology has been available in most countries since 2013.
Conclusions: Contemporary post-operative endophthalmitis prophylaxis, although varied in different countries, allowed for a significant reduction in the incidence of this complication in recent years. Most ophthalmologists in European countries declare to follow the ESCRS recommendations.