Instrument repair for remote eye units.

Amount of damage Cracks in the metal, flaking of metal fragments or sharp edges on ‘blunt’ instruments risk injury to the patient’s eye during surgery. If these defects cannot be repaired adequately for patient safety, the instrument should be discarded. Cracks in the hinges of scissors, needle holders, forceps joints and haemostats will continue to cause problems with alignment and cannot be repaired. Sometimes such instruments can be used for spare parts.