Full-cycle steam sterilization in ophthalmic surgery-the effect of wrapping instruments.

Purpose: To determine if wrapping instruments in conjunction with full-cycle steam sterilization affects the incidence of postoperative infection in patients undergoing ophthalmic surgery in a dedicated eye center.

Design: Retrospective, consecutive-case, comparative study.

Methods: Two consecutive groups, each of approximately 19 000 ophthalmic surgical patients, were reviewed for postoperative infection.