POST-SURGICAL INFECTIONS IN CORNEAL SURGERY: REVIEW OF THE MAIN AGENTS AND PREVENTION STRATEGIES

Abstract

This article sought to analyze the main etiological agents involved in postsurgical infections in corneal surgery, as well as the preventive strategies currently described in the literature. Studies published in the last five years in the PubMed, BVS, and Lilacs databases were selected, using descriptors related to "Surgical wound infection," "Ophthalmology," and "Cornea." After applying inclusion and exclusion criteria, 14 articles were considered eligible for qualitative analysis. The results showed that the most frequently implicated microorganisms were Staphylococcus epidermidis, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Candida spp., with prevalence varying according to the surgical technique and geographic context. Preventive strategies, such as the use of preoperative antiseptics, topical antibiotic prophylaxis, rigorous instrument sterilization, and intraoperative asepsis protocols, have demonstrated a positive impact on reducing infection rates. It is concluded that the adoption of evidence-based preventive measures is essential to minimize infectious complications and preserve visual prognosis, reinforcing the importance of standardizing protocols in ophthalmology services.