Patients often come into the ED for eye pain. One of my favorite procedures is removal of a small foreign body embedded in the cornea. There is a great instructional video on removing such foreign bodies and the use of a ophthalmic burr on removing rust rings.
The video recommends using either a 30-gauge or 18-gauge needle. I prefer the less innocuous-looking 29-gauge insulin/TB needle. Can you imagine someone coming towards your eye with a large 18-gauge needle?!
Thank you for this very useful and very helpful story
ReplyDeleteIt is best to use the largest needle possible, tell the patient that you've never done this before, tell them you're left-handed if you're holding the needle with your right hand and then say 'Oh, I nearly nearly forgot the topical anesthetic'...
ReplyDeleteGreat way to build rapport.
Hilarious. I find that reading the steps in a textbook just prior to the procedure AND in front of the patient inspires lots of confidence as well.
ReplyDeleteExcellent text. I am very grateful that I had a chance to look at.
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