The scrub technician must keep a vigilant stance by having a keen observation and by listening to the sounds made by ophthalmic equipment. Any deviation from routine must be noted and the surgeon must be alerted immediately.
A scrub technician must be familiar with the names of the different techniques used in Phacoemulsification, as the machine settings are different in each and the operating surgeon often needs help from the scrub technician for changing parameters during surgery.
Chip and flip, divide and conquer, stop and chop and direct chop are all techniques used for phacoemulsification.
Intraocular foreign body removal must be attempted under anesthesia (general or local, depending on the age of the patient and patient willingness) and must be performed under an operating microscope in the major operating theatre.
A scrub technician must be aware of the list of minor procedures and the list of instruments to be kept ready.
Before putting things in the autoclave machine it must be verified whether they are safe enough to be put inside.
Some materials, such as latex, polyethylene, acrylic, and PVC cannot be put inside an autoclave machine because of the risk of melting or damage.
Proper sterilization of all surgical instruments is part of the aseptic technique. Typically, it is the duty of the ophthalmic assistant to make sure that this is carried out.
Keeping fingernails short, wearing gloves, and frequent hand washing are all steps surgical team members can take in order to avoid spreading infection to the patient.
Additionally, shoulder-length or longer hair should be held back and anyone with an infection, such as a cold, should exclude themselves from any surgical procedures until they have recovered.
BSS is an isotonic solution used for irrigating the eye during various intraocular surgeries.
Its composition, physiological pH and osmolarity are very similar to that of the aqueous.
Anyone whose skin is penetrated by a used surgical instrument must report the incident immediately.
Every effort must be made to avoid the possibility of transmitting any microbes, especially those causing AIDS and hepatitis.
Diamond is the strongest material on earth and knives made from diamond are sharp and help in making a precise corneal tunnel. Knives made from other materials are relatively less sharp and can give rise to ragged edges.
An autoclave can sterilize surgical implements through the use of pressurized steam. All instruments must be clean and free of organic debris (eg, blood, tissue, etc.) before being placed in the autoclave.
Hinged instruments, such as forceps or scissors, should be open when placed in the autoclave and spaced so the steam can contact as much of each instrument’s surface as possible.
Ultrasound waves are used in phacoemulsification to break the nucleus into smaller fragments for easy removal via a small corneal incision.
