[Epidemiology of nosocomial infections after cataract surgery and role of the Infection Control Committee in prevention].

Despite of a low incidence (3 for 1,000), post-cataract surgery endophthalmitis remains a serious complication with a poor prognosis. The nosocomial definition is almost always present despite the endogenous origin; the latter is associated with the risk prone operative procedure, and the presence of numerous normal flora on skin and conjunctiva. Within this context, the incriminated bacteria are coagulase-negative Staphylococcus. Micro-outbreaks of postoperative Pseudomonas aeruginosa endophthalmitis have an exogenous origin. In order to prevent these nosocomial infections, the role of the "infection control committee" and the operational hygiene team is very important: 1) survey of new infectious cases and of the hospital environment; 2) infection control measures about pre and intra operative preparation of the patient; 3) operating room maintenance.