Which infection prevention practices are essential in ophthalmic clinics?

Which infection prevention practices are essential in ophthalmic clinics?

• A. Wearing gloves and masks only
• B. Hand hygiene and proper disinfection/sterilization of instruments and surfaces
• C. Hand hygiene only
• D. Sterilization of only instruments, not surfaces

Answer: (B)

Hand hygiene is the cornerstone of infection prevention in ophthalmic clinics because clean hands prevent passing microbes to patients, instruments, and surfaces. In addition, anything that contacts the eye or the surrounding environment must be properly cleaned, disinfected, or sterilized according to its risk level. Instruments that touch the eye require sterilization or high-level disinfection, and environmental surfaces and contact areas must be cleaned and disinfected between patients to remove contamination. PPE like gloves and masks support protection, but they don’t replace the need for diligent hand hygiene and thorough cleaning of instruments and surfaces. Relying on only one aspect—whether PPE, instrument sterilization alone, or surface cleaning alone—leaves potential routes of transmission unaddressed. So the most effective practice combines consistent hand hygiene with proper disinfection or sterilization of both instruments and surfaces.

Hand hygiene is the cornerstone of infection prevention in ophthalmic clinics because clean hands prevent passing microbes to patients, instruments, and surfaces. In addition, anything that contacts the eye or the surrounding environment must be properly cleaned, disinfected, or sterilized according to its risk level. Instruments that touch the eye require sterilization or high-level disinfection, and environmental surfaces and contact areas must be cleaned and disinfected between patients to remove contamination. PPE like gloves and masks support protection, but they don’t replace the need for diligent hand hygiene and thorough cleaning of instruments and surfaces. Relying on only one aspect—whether PPE, instrument sterilization alone, or surface cleaning alone—leaves potential routes of transmission unaddressed. So the most effective practice combines consistent hand hygiene with proper disinfection or sterilization of both instruments and surfaces.