Endophthalmitis is a serious medical condition with a high morbidity rate. The source of infection usually cannot be identified with certainty. The flora of the eyelids and conjunctiva are the most frequent infection source, including contamination via incisions in the early postoperative stages. Other potential infection sources include contaminated solutions and instruments, environmental air and the surgeon and the other operating room personnel. Because the skin cannot be sterilized, it must be properly prepared. Despite significant advances in glove manufacturing techniques and developments in surgical instrument design, glove perforation rates have been reported to be as high as 17%, which emphasizes the importance of good hand antisepsis.

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