The Effect of Intravitreally Injected Povidone-Iodine on Staphylococcus epidermidis in Rabbit Eyes

Purpose: Firstly, the aim of this study was to determine the maximally tolerated dose of intravitreally injected povidone-iodine (PVP-I). A second aim was to test the efficacy of PVP-I on rabbit eyes infected intravitreally with Staphylococcus epidermidis. Methods: Phase I of the study used 16 New Zealand albino rabbits, divided into 4 groups (n = 4 each). Animals were anesthetized and intravitreally injected with 0.1 mL of 50, 100, 200, or 400 micrograms (μg) of PVP-I in 1 eye, and with saline in the other. The animals were examined at days 1, 7, and 14, using indirect ophthalmoscopy and slit-lamp biomicroscopy; electroretinography (ERG) was performed before treatment and prior to euthanization. Histological preparations were examined to determine retinal damage. Phase II of the study divided 20 New Zealand albino rabbits into 4 groups (n = 5 each). Animals were anesthetized and injected with 0.1 mL of S. epidermidis containing 3030 colony forming units (CFU) in 1 eye and saline in the other. Seven (7) h...