Treating eye conditions such as cataracts, glaucoma, and retinal or corneal disorders requires precise ophthalmic techniques. Ophthalmic surgeons use specialized tools to handle delicate eye tissues with increased accuracy and minimal disruption to achieve high precision. Here are the primary ophthalmic tools that are commonly used:
Scalpels and Blades
Scalpels are the most fundamental tools used in any surgical procedure. They are specially designed for ophthalmic surgeries to perform precise incisions in the eye. These blades are often smaller but finer and thus ideally suited to eye tissues such as the sclera and cornea.
Reusable scalpel blades: They can be sterilized again for other procedures.
Disposable blades: After a single procedure, the blades are disposed of.
Forceps
Forceps are designed for ophthalmic surgeries to grip and hold eye tissues during surgery. Ophthalmic forceps come in different shapes and sizes for different procedures. Essential types of forceps include:
- Iris forceps: These have serrated tips that gently grasp the eye’s iris and are used when repairing the eye or during cataract surgery.
- Capsulorhexis Forceps: They are used to make a precise incision into the anterior lens capsule, and in most cataract surgery, this incision is made with them.
- Barraquer Cilia Forceps: This is an ophthalmic tool specifically designed to hold, grab, and remove cilia along the edges of the eyelids.
- Microsurgical forceps: These are designed with ultra-precise tips to handle delicate tissues during corneal or retinal surgeries.
- Desmarres Chalazion Forceps: Used to immobilize the eyelid and expose the chalazion for removal and drainage.
Needle Holders
Needle holders help them grasp a needle while suturing the eye's tissues. Common types of needle holders are:
- Castroviejo needle holder: It is a common instrument in microsurgical procedures like cataracts or corneal surgery. It helps in precise suturing.
- Barraquer needle holders: They are designed so the needle stays in place during the procedure.
Speculum
A lid speculum is a specific and crucial tool used in ophthalmic surgeries to hold the eyelids open during the surgery. The speculum holds the eye by gently opening the eyelids without causing excessive pressure or trauma to the eyelid tissues.
Types of Speculums
Speculums are available in several variants for patients of neonatal, child, and adult size. They also differ in shape, length, angle, and blade for specific procedures.
Lens tools
Some ophthalmic surgeries, such as cataract surgery, involve removing the clouded natural lens and replacing it with an artificial lens. For such procedures, exceptional lens removal, holding, or marking tools are used, such as:
- Lens Implantation forceps
- Sinskey lens manipulating hook
- Mcpherson lens holder, etc.
Lachrymal probes
They are metallic instruments used to assess and clear blockages in the tear ducts, also known as lacrimal ducts. These probes are often used to treat lacrimal duct obstructions. One significant kind of such probe is the Bowman lachrymal probe, available in various sizes and lengths.
Ophthalmic cannulas
These small, hollow tubes are designed to aspirate or inject fluids within the eye. There are many types of ophthalmic cannulas, such as interior chamber cannulas, irrigating cannulas, aspirating cannulas, and Infusion cannulas. These cannulas come in various gauges to cater to the specific needs of the surgery.Eye scissors
Eye scissors are primarily used in ophthalmic surgeries for the dissection of delicate eye tissues and diagnostic procedures. Some of the significant types of eye scissors are:- Castroviejo corneal scissors: These scissors are specialized instruments commonly used during ocular surgeries for blunt dissection
- Ong Capsule scissors: These are used during corneal, iris, or scleral dissection, and help cut the monofilament. They are used to cut the cornea, the iris, the capsule, and the membrane.
- Katzin Corneal Transplant Micro scissors: These specialized instruments are used in ocular surgeries to dissect corneal tissue during a corneal graft. It is also used in other ocular surgeries.
- Corneal Micro scissors: These eye scissors are designed to remove the final corneal lamella in front of Descemet’s membrane.
Ophthalmic markers
Ophthalmic markers are the tools used to mark specific points on or within the eye for the surgery, which helps in alignment and precision. Significant types of ophthalmic markers include:- Corneal markers: An essential tool for ophthalmic surgeons, aids in precision and accuracy during corneal procedures.
- Braunstein IVT Marker: It offers a wide range of benefits during surgeries that treat glaucoma.
- Toric Reference Marker: These mark the horizontal and vertical reference meridians within the eye during complex procedures.