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O P H T H A L M O L O G Y
sonic according to the manufacturer's directions.
6
How many different types
of ophthalmic knives do you regularly stock for
cataract surgery?
The trend among our respondents is to standardize ophthalmic
knives: 41% of our panel says all surgeons use the same type of knife.
"We do try to standardize supplies, but [physicians] stick to their preferences, mostly for knives," says Ellen Beltramba, RN, COT, CRNO, of
the Eye Surgery and Laser Center in Winter Haven, Fla.
Most respondents (68.2%) stock diamond knives, while 59.1% use
steel. "We have 1 type of 2.2mm diamond keratome and 1 1.0mm sideport diamond or trial sapphire knife," says Ms. Johnson. "My surgeons
find sapphire blades dull for keratome use, but will use them for sideports." Diamond blades can be tricky to clean and keep sharp. They can
get micro divots which require rehoning, says Lauren Belleza, ATA,
administrator of the Physicians Eye Surgery Center in Everett, Wash.
Nearly one-third (31.8) of respondents dispose of a knife after a single use and about one-fourth (27.3%) reuse their knives. Most respondents (40.9%) stock both disposable and reusable knives. OSM
E-mail doconnor@outpatientsurg ery.net.
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O U T PAT I E N T S U R G E R Y M A G A Z I N E O N L I N E | J U N E 2013
