Cleaning & Disinfection of Optical Equipment

Optical devices touch skin and sit close to eyes. Cleaning needs to be compatible with materials and effective against likely organisms. Manufacturer instructions take precedence where specific.^[1][3]

Preparing to clean

De-power equipment where needed and check product compatibility.^[2]

Wear gloves for chemical handling and protect optics from overspray.^[6]

Using separate cloths or wipes for clean and dirty zones helps avoid cross-contamination.^[3]

Tonometer tips and prisms

Single-use tips are often preferred where available. If re-usable, clean debris first, then disinfect with an approved agent and full contact time. Rinse and dry if required to protect corneas and coatings.^[1][5][4]

Trial frames and trial lenses

Wipe frames with detergent, then disinfect touch points, including nose pads and temples. Store clean frames protected from dust. Follow manufacturer guidance for trial contact lenses; single-patient use can be considered for higher-risk scenarios.^[1]

• High-touch surfaces to include: fundus camera chin and head rests; slit-lamp joystick and forehead band; occluders, rulers, and pupilometers; PD-metres and autorefractors; and CL teaching models.^[1]

Contact time and technique

Read the label and use timers where helpful. Rapid swipes without dwell time reduce efficacy. Wipe in a methodical pattern and allow air-drying unless instructions require rinsing.^[3]

Preventing damage while cleaning

Avoid pooling liquids near optics and electronics. Use covers after cleaning when equipment cools. Replace worn pads and cracked plastics that harbour organisms and resist disinfection.^[2]

Labelling and storage

Zone clean and dirty items clearly. Dated "cleaned at" tags during high throughput can maintain confidence and audit trails. Keep products in original containers with intact labels and safety data to hand.^[3]

Documentation and oversight

Maintain an equipment cleaning schedule with responsibility, frequency, and products. Sample compliance periodically and feed results back promptly. Update procedures after incidents or manufacturer bulletins.^[3]

References (numbered in text) Why we include references

1. Infection control, College of Optometrists Find (opens in a new tab)
2. Ophthalmic Instrument Decontamination, The Royal College of Ophthalmologists (2016) Find (opens in a new tab)
3. National Infection Prevention and Control Manual: Chapter 1 – Standard infection control precautions, NHS England Find (opens in a new tab)
4. Minimising the risk of prion transmission by contact tonometry, British Journal of Ophthalmology, S Z Amin; L Smith; P J Luthert; M E Cheetham; R J Buckley (2003) Find (opens in a new tab)
5. Retention of corneal epithelial cells following Goldmann tonometry: implications for CJD risk, British Journal of Ophthalmology, R Lim; B Dhillon; K M Kurian; P A Aspinall; K Fernie; J W Ironside (2003) Find (opens in a new tab)
6. Using personal protective equipment (PPE) to control risks at work, Health and Safety Executive (HSE) Find (opens in a new tab)