If an ophthalmic medical assistant accidentally touches the sterile functional surface of a disposable instrument, what should be done with the instrument?

When a sterile functional surface of a disposable instrument is accidentally touched, the instrument is considered to have been contaminated. Maintaining sterility is crucial in a medical environment, especially in ophthalmology, where contamination can lead to infections and compromise patient safety. The appropriate action in this scenario is to discard the instrument, regardless of its cost, to ensure that no risk of infection arises.

This practice emphasizes a strict adherence to infection control protocols. Disposable instruments are designed for single use to prevent cross-contamination. Reusing an instrument after it has been compromised could lead to serious consequences for patients, including surgical site infections. Therefore, discarding the contaminated instrument is the only safe and responsible choice.