The Safety, Efficacy, and Potential Complications of Intracameral Antibiotics

Abstract

The use of intracameral antibiotics (ICAs) as endophthalmitis prophylaxis after cataract surgery has increased in the past decade. The goal of this paper is to review the current literature arguing for and against ICAs. There is compelling evidence that ICAs have greater efficacy than topical antibiotics in preventing post-operative endophthalmitis. However, issues related to availability, cost, and safety have limited their widespread adoption in countries such as the USA. In countries without access to a commercially available prepackaged antibiotic for intracameral use, cataract surgeons will have to individually weigh the risks and benefits of ICAs in determining their method of endophthalmitis prophylaxis.