A systematic review and meta-analysis on the efficacy of topical povidone iodine in adenoviral conjunctivitis

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#humans #povidone-iodine #povidone #quality-of-life #conjunctivitis

A systematic review and meta-analysis on the efficacy of topical povidone iodine in adenoviral conjunctivitis

González et al., 2023 | Cont Lens Anterior Eye | Meta Analysis

Citation

González Martín-Moro Julio, Zarallo-Gallardo Jesús, ... Antón Rodríguez Cristina. A systematic review and meta-analysis on the efficacy of topical povidone iodine in adenoviral conjunctivitis. Cont Lens Anterior Eye. 2023-Oct;46(5):101873. doi:10.1016/j.clae.2023.101873

Abstract

PURPOSE: To evaluate if topical povidone iodine (alone (PI) or combined with dexamethasone (PI-DXM)) is superior to placebo for treating adenoviral conjunctivitis (AC). METHODS: A systematic review was performed according to Preferred Reporting Items for the Systematic Review and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) Statement. An electronic search was made on PubMed, Embase and Cochrane Library. Randomized control studies that compared PI or PI-DXM with placebo were included. At least three researchers were involved in all phases. Primary outcomes were AC duration and the number of clinical resolutions during the first week. Secondary outcomes were conjunctival redness and serous discharge one week after starting treatment and the rate of AC complications. RESULTS: Only five studies met the inclusion criteria. PI-DXM reduced the duration of the disease by 2.4 days (IC95% 4.09-0.71), however this result was based only in one study. PI and PI-DXM did not modify the probability of clinical resolution during the first week; relative risk (RR) = 1.77 (IC95% 0.63-4.96) and 1.70 (IC95% 0.67-4.36). The impact of PI on the probability of pseudomembranes could not be estimated. PI-DXM did not influence the risk of developing subepithelial infiltrates RR = 0.73 (IC95% 0.02-33.38). CONCLUSIONS: At this time there is great uncertainty about the usefulness of PI on the course of adenoviral conjunctivitis. PI-DXM may have a small effect on AC duration. To make future reviews possible, it is important to standardize the way in which these results are reported. Futures studies should include etiological confirmation, unit of study (eyes vs patients) and report on those aspects that are more relevant for patient quality of life (duration of the disease, development of complications: pseudomembranes and subepithelial infiltrates).

Key Findings

Only five studies met the inclusion criteria. PI-DXM reduced the duration of the disease by 2.4 days (IC95% 4.09-0.71), however this result was based only in one study. PI and PI-DXM did not modify the probability of clinical resolution during the first week; relative risk (RR) = 1.77 (IC95% 0.63-4.96) and 1.70 (IC95% 0.67-4.36). The impact of PI on the probability of pseudomembranes could not be estimated. PI-DXM did not influence the risk of developing subepithelial infiltrates RR = 0.73 (IC95

Outcomes Measured

  • Requires manual extraction

Population

Field Value
Population See abstract
Sample Size See abstract
Age Range See abstract
Condition See abstract

MeSH Terms

  • Humans
  • Povidone-Iodine
  • Povidone
  • Quality of Life
  • Conjunctivitis

Evidence Classification

  • Level: Meta Analysis
  • Publication Types: Meta-Analysis, Systematic Review, Journal Article
  • Vertical: iodine

Provenance

Source extracted via PubMed E-utilities API on 2026-04-09