Povidone Iodine
About Povidone Iodine
Povidone Iodine is an antiseptic used to prevent infections during surgery or medical procedures on the eye or around the eyes. It is used for prepping the periocular region (lids, brow, and cheek) and irrigating the ocular surface (cornea, conjunctiva, and palpebral fornices) of the eye before surgery or injection.
Povidone Iodine contains Povidone Iodine. It works by inhibiting the growth of infection-causing microbes. As a small molecule, iodine can easily penetrate microorganisms and oxidizes essential proteins, nucleotides, and fatty acids, leading to cell death. It is effective against bacteria, fungi, viruses, and protozoa.
Use Povidone Iodine as suggested by a doctor. Povidone Iodine may cause common side effects like eye irritation and temporary yellow discolouration of the whites of the eyes and surrounding areas of the eye. These side effects gradually resolve during the treatment and do not require medical attention. However, if the side effects persist longer, please seek medical help.
Brief your medical history to the doctor if you are allergic to iodine or povidone. Let your doctor know if you have thyroid diseases, liver or kidney problems, and dry eyes syndrome before starting Povidone Iodine. Do not use Povidone Iodine with eye formulations containing mercury-based preservatives. Please consult your doctor if you are pregnant, planning to conceive, or are a lactating mother before using Povidone Iodine. Povidone Iodine should be used in children only when the doctor has prescribed it.
Uses of Povidone Iodine
Medicinal Benefits
Povidone Iodine is an antiseptic and disinfectant used to prevent infections during surgery or medical procedures on the eye or around the eyes. It works by inhibiting the growth of infection-causing microbes.
Directions for Use
Storage
Side Effects of Povidone Iodine
- Eye irritation
- Temporary yellow discolouration of the whites of the eyes and surrounding areas of the eye
Drug Warnings
Let your doctor know if you are allergic to iodine or povidone. Inform your doctor if you have thyroid diseases, liver or kidney problems, and dry eyes syndrome before starting Povidone Iodine. If you are a contact lens wearer, please remove them before using Povidone Iodine. Do not use Povidone Iodine with eye formulations containing mercury-based preservatives. Please consult your doctor if you are pregnant, planning to conceive or are a lactating mother before using Povidone Iodine. Povidone Iodine should be used in children only when the doctor has prescribed it.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interaction: Povidone Iodine may interact with eye formulations that contain mercury-based preservatives.
Drug-Food Interaction: No interactions were found/established.
Drug-Disease Interaction: Before using Povidone Iodine, let your doctor know if you have any allergic reactions to iodine or povidone, thyroid diseases, liver or kidney problems, and dry eyes syndrome.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
cautionPlease seek medical advice if you have concerns regarding this.
Pregnancy
cautionPlease consult your doctor before using Povidone Iodine if you are pregnant or planning to conceive. Your doctor will prescribe Povidone Iodine only if the benefits outweigh the risk.
Breast Feeding
cautionThere is limited information on how Povidone Iodine affects lactation. Please consult your doctor before using Povidone Iodine if you are a breastfeeding mother.
Driving
cautionPovidone iodine eye drops/ophthalmic solutions are usually given for eye preparation during surgery or other medical procedures. Do not drive or operate machinery in such cases.
Liver
cautionLet your doctor know if you have any history of liver diseases before using Povidone Iodine.
Kidney
cautionLet your doctor know if you have any history of kidney diseases before using Povidone Iodine.
Children
cautionPovidone Iodine should be used in children only when the doctor has prescribed it. It must not be given to preterm infants.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Manage stress, eat healthily, drink plenty of water, exercise regularly, and get plenty of sleep.
- Eat food rich in antioxidants such as berries, spinach, kidney beans, dark chocolate, etc.
- Try to maintain good hygiene to keep your eyes clean and irritant-free.
- Avoid staring at the digital screens for longer durations. Rest your eyes every 20 minutes.
- If you wear contact lenses: Clean and replace contact lenses more often. Never share contact lenses. Always wash your hands before inserting and after removing the contact lens.
- Do not rub your eyes even though some ophthalmic drugs make your eye itchy.
- Wash your hands thoroughly and do not touch the dropper to avoid contamination.
- Know your allergy triggers, such as pollen, dust and other factors.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Eye irrigation: It is a process to remove any foreign bodies from the eye. It flushes out the particles and harmful chemicals from the conjunctiva and cornea. Eye irrigation is done when there is a chemical injury to the eye, to remove any particulate matter that causes irritation, and to clean and disinfect the ocular surface before any surgical procedure or injection.
FAQs
Povidone Iodine is an antiseptic used to prevent infections during surgery or medical procedures on the eye or around the eyes. It is used for prepping the periocular region (lids, brow, and cheek) and irrigating the ocular surface (cornea, conjunctiva, and palpebral fornices) of the eye before surgery or injection.
Povidone Iodine is an antiseptic that inhibits the growth of infection-causing microbes. It is used to clean and irrigate the ocular surface before any surgery or injection.
Povidone Iodine should not be concomitantly used with other antiseptic eye preparations. It is also recommended not to use eye formulations containing mercury-based preservatives while being treated with Povidone Iodine.
Povidone Iodine may interfere with thyroid function tests due to iodine absorption. Please consult your doctor before starting Povidone Iodine if you have any history of thyroid problems.
Povidone Iodine may temporarily stain the whites and surrounding areas of the eye. Your doctor may rinse the eye with sterile saline solution, which removes the staining. The surrounding stains can usually be removed with soap and water. However, if you are undergoing surgery after using povidone-iodine ophthalmic products, do not immediately clean the areas, wait for your doctor’s instructions.
Using a sterile clean swab, first clean the area thoroughly around the eyes. Instil 2 to 3 drops of the solution into the eye(s) and leave for 2 minutes or use it as advised by the doctor. Do not use Povidone Iodine for any other purpose other than to clean the eyes before surgery.
The natural golden brown colour of Povidone Iodine leaves a stain on the area where it is applied. However, it does not leave a permanent stain on your skin and fingernails. The stain can be removed easily from your clothes with soap and water.
Povidone Iodine may cause side effects such as eye irritation and temporary yellow discolouration of the whites of the eyes and surrounding areas of the eye. If these side effects persist or worsen, please consult your doctor.
