Ophthalmic ointment

A survey of randomly selected members of this Academy was taken on their use of ophthalmic ointments. Of the 327 returned questionnaires, ointments were applied immediately after surgery routinely by 55%, occasionally by 9%, and never by 36%. After the first dressing change the use was routinely 61%, occasionally 15% and never 21%. In corneal ulcers 37% use ointments routinely, 47% occasionally, and 16% never. Sixty five ophthalmologists (20%) had seen ointment entrapment in the anterior chamber after surgery for a total of 95 cases. Of these, 20 were lost to follow up, but of the remaining 75, two thirds had seen no apparent effect from the entrapped ointment. However, five eyes were enucleated for glaucoma or uveitis, and nine eyes were operated on for ointment removal for the same reasons. According to the poll, doctors who had seen ointment in the anterior chamber continue to use ointment postoperatively, but about 10% less frequently than those who had not seen this complication. Experimental data supports the apparent inertness of the commercial ointments tested subconjunctivally or in the anterior chamber if it occupies less than 5% of the anterior chamber volume. Recommendations for topical ophthalmic ointment usage are given.