Disinfection in the operating room
Disinfectants
- Betadine® Solution: povidone-iodine 10% (=Betadine® pure -> standard solution which can be further diluted)
- Hibidil® Solution: chlorhexidine digluconate 0.05%
- Octenisept® Solution: octenidine dihydrochloride 0.1% and phenoxyethanol 2%
- Desomedine® Eye Drops: Hexamidini Diisetionas
Dilution solution
BSS (Balanced Salt Solution) -> better tolerated than NaCl 0.9% when used ocularly
Lids
skin
- Hibidil® Pure solution
- Betadine® Pure solution
- For iodine allerics: Octenisept® Pure solution
Intravitréal injections (IVI)
- Hibidil® Pure solution
- Betadine® 1% solution, diluted (1 ml Betadine + 9 ml BSS)
- In Case of Iodine Allergy: Desomedine® Eye drops twice during preparation, then once in surgery
Intraocular procedures (cataract surgery, glaucoma surgery, vitreoretinal surgery)
Skin, eyelids, eyelashes
- Hibidil® Pure solution
- Betadine® Pure solution
- In Case of Iodine Allergy: Octenisept® Pure solution
conjunctival sac, cornea
- Hibidil® Pure solution
- Betadine® 5% solution, diluted (1 ml Betadine® + 1 ml BSS)
- In the case of iodine allergy: Desomedine® Eye Drops Twice in Preparation, Then Once in Surgery
Refractive corneal surgery (LASIK, PRK, crosslinking)
- Hibidil® Pure solution
- Betadine® 1% solution, diluted (1 ml Betadine® + 9 ml BSS)
sources:
- ESCRS Guidelines for Cataract Surgery, as of 12/2025
- Blaubuch University Clinic for Ophthalmology Bern 11/224
