Before conducting eye surgeries, professionals must sterilize ophthalmic surgical instruments based on sterilization guidelines to promote the patient’s safety during the operation. Following the manufacturer’s instructions is another way to properly clean your tools and devices. Learn more about how to sterilize ophthalmic surgical instruments and where to order the best ophthalmic sterilization containers.
How to Clean Ophthalmic Surgical Instruments
Sterilization works to destroy microbes through heat, gas or chemicals. There are various types of sterilization, including ethylene oxide sterilization, dry heat sterilization and steam sterilization. Today, our focus is on steam sterilization and how you sterilize an optical instrument using the autoclave.
1. Preclean the instruments.
Before placing your surgical instruments into the autoclave, you must pre-clean them. Start with following the manufacturer’s instructions and procedures. Then, clean the device to remove any dirt or residue from its surface. Proceed with a quick inspection to ensure you have cleaned everything, and check that the instrument isn’t damp. If you forget to clean a tool, it can affect the quality of the sterilization process, so ensure that the instrument is well-clean and handled with care.
To avoid contamination after cleaning, transport eye instruments and devices in airtight, puncture-proof containers.
2. Follow the decontamination guidelines and do a thorough visual inspection.
After pre-cleaning your devices, observing the decontamination guidelines for washing and cleaning is essential. For example, you should select a specific place to conduct the central sterile processing of your eye instruments. Next, ensure mechanical washing follows the parameters and that you have disinfected everything for safety. Then, do a magnified visual inspection of your devices. Observing fine details and cracks requires magnification tools because they are challenging to check with the naked eye.
3. Start steam sterilizing the eye tools and equipment.
Steam sterilization is one way to conduct ophthalmic surgical instrument sterilization. You will use an autoclave, which is a pressurized steel chamber, to perform this type of sterilization. Start by heating the autoclave to a temperature of 120 degrees Celsius (248 degrees Fahrenheit) and set the timer for at least 30 minutes. Note that this process isn’t ideal for instruments that can be damaged by water or extreme heat. As long as your instruments can withstand the autoclave’s conditions, steam sterilization is efficient and effective.
4. Store the instruments properly.
The last step for cleaning ophthalmic surgical instruments is storing them properly. Place all the packaged equipment in an antiseptic storage environment without any humidity. You should keep sterile items under controlled conditions to prevent contamination. Remember to use top-notch storage containers for your clean equipment for additional security.
Order Ophthalmic Sterilization Containers
If you plan to use an autoclave to sterilize your tools, Jewel Precision offers high-quality ophthalmic storage containers for your sterile equipment. These containers can withstand extreme conditions from the sterilization process and protect your instruments.
Contact us today to learn more about our products and services.
