Is the test patch useful in determining safety against operative infection?

• Main Authors: Azad Rajvardhan, Mehta Manoj
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications 1989-01-01
• Series: Indian Journal of Ophthalmology
• Online Access: http://www.ijo.in/article.asp?issn=0301-4738;year=1989;volume=37;issue=1;spage=20;epage=23;aulast=Azad

The practice of pre-operative ′Test Patch′ on any eye continues to be an important, conventional step at a number of eye infirmaries. The present study was carried out on eighty seven eyes to determine the relevance of Test Patch as a prelude to surgery. After a critical analysis of the result of investigation, it is concluded that the ′Test Patch′ does not provide a statistically reliable information regarding potential bacterial infection since there is no correlation between pre-patching and post-patching clinical appearance, and bacterial isolates in a given case. Presence of polymorphs or organisms in the Grams stained conjunctival smears did not make any difference with regard to a positive or negative bacterial growth in a given eye. It is concluded that ′Test Patch′ neither predicts nor helps in any way in a case waiting to undergo intra ocular surgery. The Test Patch, therefore, at best, can serve as an acclimatizing exercise that simulates bandaging in the post-operative period.