A case for single-use disposable corneal forceps: equipment reliability should be the primary concern

Disposable, single-use surgical instruments are increasingly being used to reduce cross-contamination and infection risks.1–3 Despite the hidden financial and environmental disposal costs, this approach avoids the problems associated with instrument damage during reprocessing. Cataract surgery already benefits from such disposable instruments.4 We wish to detail our experience with corneal forceps and graft management to highlight practical issues within the current financial climate. Currently, our instruments are sterilised off-site, with an anticipated 24 h turn around. A snapshot audit of all ophthalmic instruments available in the outpatients revealed numerous problems, including damaged instruments with non-opposing tips, incorrect labelling, instruments unidentifiable without opening of …