Phacoemulsificator and sterile drapes contamination during cataract surgery: a microbiological study.

Purpose: To determine the microbial contamination of the irrigating fluids at the time of phacoemulsification after the use of topical povidone-iodine and antibiotics prophylaxis.

Methods: A total of 119 patients undergoing cataract surgery were enrolled in this prospective study. All patients received 5 mg/mL levofloxacin starting from the day prior to surgery and topical and 5% povidone-iodine drops starting from 30 minutes before the surgery.