We present 3 cases of endophthalmitis following suture removal after catara
ct surgery. In all cases, prophylactic antibiotics had been used. Treatment
included vitreous tap and intravitreal antibiotic injection, with only 1 o
f the 3 patients regaining good visual acuity. Because povidone-iodine 5% i
s more effective at decreasing conjunctival bacterial counts than topical a
ntibiotics, we recommend this method of conjunctival preparation before sut
ure removal. (C) 1999 ASCRS and ESCRS.