©THEBRIGHT EXAM SOLUTIONS
11/05/2024 12:06 PM
Chapter 16 (Surgical Technology for the
Surgical Technologist): Ophthalmic Surgery.
Exam Questions With Correct Answers
What skills/knowledge should a ST have while working in ophthalmic surgery? - answer✔how to set
up/run a microscope, Phacoemulsification (Phaco) machine, and other specialty equipment; fine motor
skills; looking through a microscope to assist the surgeon during the procedure
Colbri forceps - answer✔for holding the edges of corneal and scleral incisions
nontoothed forceps - answer✔for holding skin edges in eyelid procedures and for holding the
conjunctiva for suturing
Bishop-Harmon iris forceps - answer✔for grasping and holding delicate eye tissue
Desmarres chalazion forceps - answer✔for grasping the lower eyelid and isolating the chalazion to
facilitate excision
microsurgical needle holders - answer✔have a spring action and can be locking or nonlocking; the tips
can be curved or straight; common examples are McPherson or Castroviejo
keratomes - answer✔disposable; available in various angles and sizes from 1.4 mm to 3.2 mm
scalpels used in ophthalmic surgery - answer✔keratomes; diamond knife; Beaver blades; #15 knife blade
scleral hooks - answer✔used for scleral retraction
muscle hooks - answer✔used for eye muscle retraction
Kilner hook - answer✔used for reconstructive surgery
hooks and retractors used for ophthalmic surgery - answer✔scleral hooks; muscle hooks; Kilner hook;
microhooks; Desmarres lid retractor; Iris retractor; eye speculum
Westcott scissors/spring-action microscissors - answer✔useful in strabismus and conjunctiva operations
small spring scissors - answer✔for intraocular use
, ©THEBRIGHT EXAM SOLUTIONS
11/05/2024 12:06 PM
scissors used for ophthalmic surgery - answer✔Westcott scissors/spring-action microscissors; small
spring scissors; Castroviejo corneal scissors; McPherson-Vannas iris scissors
Bowman probe - answer✔for probing the lacrimal duct
routine equipment for ophthalmic surgery - answer✔ophthalmic stretcher with attachable wrist rest for
the surgeon; a donut for positioning the head; electrosurgical unit (ESU)
Phacoemulsifier - answer✔used in surgical treatment of cataracts; uses ultrasonic energy to fragment
the hard lens material, which then can be aspirated from the eye
operating microscope - answer✔an integral part of ophthalmic surgery; magnifies surgical site through
use of lenses; may be draped, or reusable sterile handles placed on control knobs
Vitreoretinal system - answer✔used in all posterior chamber surgeries; allows control of intraocular
pressure by irrigation and aspiration; provides light, suction, diathermy, and intraoperative access to the
surgeon
Argon or Nd: YAG laser - answer✔used for photocoagulation or photodynamic therapy
Cryotherapy unit - answer✔used in treatment of retinal detachment; uses localized cold temperature to
seal tears and holes; nitrous oxide gas passed is under pressure through flexible tubes to the tip of a
probe; controlled by foot switch
routine supplies in ophthalmic surgery - answer✔prep set; eye or head and neck back table pack; Weck-
Cel sponges; lint-free microwipe sponges; sterile gloves; sterile cotton swabs; needles and suture
material; BSS; 27- and 30 gauge disposable needles, straight and angled
practical considerations of ophthalmic surgery - answer✔talking and movement should be kept to a
minimum, as the patient is often awake; nonpowdered gloves should be used; extra care should be
taken to keep lint off the instrument and sterile field to help prevent formation of post-op granulomas;
if the microscope is draped, care should be taken to prevent breaks in sterile technique; when a
portable microscope is used, it should be brought over the patient from the side opposite the operative
site
procedural considerations of ophthalmic surgery - answer✔avoid pooling prep solution in or near the
eyes; periodically irrigate the eyes using a syringe or small squeeze bottle with BSS to prevent corneal
drying; trimming the eyelashes is not always done, but trim before prepping if necessary; every
procedure on the globe requires the use of an adhesive-backed, clear, aperture or incisable drape;
procedures on the eyelid of conjunctiva require the use of a head drape
round bodied suture needle - answer✔available with plain collagen and polyglactin; used for
conjunctival closure
round bodied with cutting tip (taper cut) suture needle - answer✔initially cuts like cutting needle,
minimal trauma; used for lacrimal sac and nasal mucosa
11/05/2024 12:06 PM
Chapter 16 (Surgical Technology for the
Surgical Technologist): Ophthalmic Surgery.
Exam Questions With Correct Answers
What skills/knowledge should a ST have while working in ophthalmic surgery? - answer✔how to set
up/run a microscope, Phacoemulsification (Phaco) machine, and other specialty equipment; fine motor
skills; looking through a microscope to assist the surgeon during the procedure
Colbri forceps - answer✔for holding the edges of corneal and scleral incisions
nontoothed forceps - answer✔for holding skin edges in eyelid procedures and for holding the
conjunctiva for suturing
Bishop-Harmon iris forceps - answer✔for grasping and holding delicate eye tissue
Desmarres chalazion forceps - answer✔for grasping the lower eyelid and isolating the chalazion to
facilitate excision
microsurgical needle holders - answer✔have a spring action and can be locking or nonlocking; the tips
can be curved or straight; common examples are McPherson or Castroviejo
keratomes - answer✔disposable; available in various angles and sizes from 1.4 mm to 3.2 mm
scalpels used in ophthalmic surgery - answer✔keratomes; diamond knife; Beaver blades; #15 knife blade
scleral hooks - answer✔used for scleral retraction
muscle hooks - answer✔used for eye muscle retraction
Kilner hook - answer✔used for reconstructive surgery
hooks and retractors used for ophthalmic surgery - answer✔scleral hooks; muscle hooks; Kilner hook;
microhooks; Desmarres lid retractor; Iris retractor; eye speculum
Westcott scissors/spring-action microscissors - answer✔useful in strabismus and conjunctiva operations
small spring scissors - answer✔for intraocular use
, ©THEBRIGHT EXAM SOLUTIONS
11/05/2024 12:06 PM
scissors used for ophthalmic surgery - answer✔Westcott scissors/spring-action microscissors; small
spring scissors; Castroviejo corneal scissors; McPherson-Vannas iris scissors
Bowman probe - answer✔for probing the lacrimal duct
routine equipment for ophthalmic surgery - answer✔ophthalmic stretcher with attachable wrist rest for
the surgeon; a donut for positioning the head; electrosurgical unit (ESU)
Phacoemulsifier - answer✔used in surgical treatment of cataracts; uses ultrasonic energy to fragment
the hard lens material, which then can be aspirated from the eye
operating microscope - answer✔an integral part of ophthalmic surgery; magnifies surgical site through
use of lenses; may be draped, or reusable sterile handles placed on control knobs
Vitreoretinal system - answer✔used in all posterior chamber surgeries; allows control of intraocular
pressure by irrigation and aspiration; provides light, suction, diathermy, and intraoperative access to the
surgeon
Argon or Nd: YAG laser - answer✔used for photocoagulation or photodynamic therapy
Cryotherapy unit - answer✔used in treatment of retinal detachment; uses localized cold temperature to
seal tears and holes; nitrous oxide gas passed is under pressure through flexible tubes to the tip of a
probe; controlled by foot switch
routine supplies in ophthalmic surgery - answer✔prep set; eye or head and neck back table pack; Weck-
Cel sponges; lint-free microwipe sponges; sterile gloves; sterile cotton swabs; needles and suture
material; BSS; 27- and 30 gauge disposable needles, straight and angled
practical considerations of ophthalmic surgery - answer✔talking and movement should be kept to a
minimum, as the patient is often awake; nonpowdered gloves should be used; extra care should be
taken to keep lint off the instrument and sterile field to help prevent formation of post-op granulomas;
if the microscope is draped, care should be taken to prevent breaks in sterile technique; when a
portable microscope is used, it should be brought over the patient from the side opposite the operative
site
procedural considerations of ophthalmic surgery - answer✔avoid pooling prep solution in or near the
eyes; periodically irrigate the eyes using a syringe or small squeeze bottle with BSS to prevent corneal
drying; trimming the eyelashes is not always done, but trim before prepping if necessary; every
procedure on the globe requires the use of an adhesive-backed, clear, aperture or incisable drape;
procedures on the eyelid of conjunctiva require the use of a head drape
round bodied suture needle - answer✔available with plain collagen and polyglactin; used for
conjunctival closure
round bodied with cutting tip (taper cut) suture needle - answer✔initially cuts like cutting needle,
minimal trauma; used for lacrimal sac and nasal mucosa
