Ocular Microbiology and Immunology Group
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2017 OMIG Abstract 15

Efficacy of Topical 0.01% Hypochlorous Acid in Reducing Bacterial Flora on Lid Margins Compared to Topical 5% Povidone-Iodine
Luis A. Gonzalez MD, MPH, Deepinder K. Dhaliwal MD, Regis P. Kowalski, MS M(ASCP)
The Charles T. Campbell Laboratory, Department of Ophthalmology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Purpose: To evaluate the efficacy of topical application of 0.01% hypochlorous acid (HA) in reducing the eyelid margin bacterial flora in comparison to topical 5% povidone-iodine (PI) in healthy individuals.

Methods: Randomized, single-masked, controlled fellow eye trial. Healthy volunteers were enrolled and randomized to receive HA on the intervention eye; the other eye served as the control (PI). The eyelid margins of both eyes were swabbed for bacterial identification and cultures prior to intervention. Then, HA was applied to the eyelid margins and base of the eyelashes of one eye, and PI solution to the eyelid margins and base of the eyelashes of the other eye in 20 healthy volunteers. The eyelid margins were swabbed 10 minutes after the application of hypochlorous acid and povidone-iodine. Microbiology analysis of counts and cultures were masked. 

Results: A total of 20 healthy volunteers were recruited. Twelve demonstrated decreases in flora with both PI and HA; one demonstrated increases in flora with both PI and HA; 3 demonstrated a decrease with PI but not HA; and 4 demonstrated a decrease with HA but not PI. We found no statistically significant difference in the reduction of bacterial load between groups (p=1.0, McNemar's test). That is, both agents were similarly efficacious in reducing the bacterial load.

Conclusions: The use of peri-procedural antiseptic solutions to reduce the bacterial load of the eyelids has been studied as potential factor in reducing the incidence of postoperative intraocular infections. Povidone-iodine is known to be effective in reducing the eyelid and conjunctival flora. This pilot study suggests that hypochlorous acid might be as effective as povidone-iodine in reducing the bacterial load in healthy eyes. More studies are warranted to evaluate whether this translates into clinically significant effects.

Disclosure: Dhaliwal (C), however no funding was received for this study.

2017 Agenda and Abstracts | < Previous Next >