Nick Mamalis, MD
INFECTION PREVENTION
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O U T P AT I E N T S U R G E R Y M A G A Z I N E O N L I N E | A P R I L 2 0 1 4
What's Up With TASS?
Incidences are on the decline, but there's still work to be done.
T
oxic anterior
segment syn-
drome (TASS) is
an acute inflammatory
response in the eye's
anterior chamber that
can strike after
cataract surgery. Large
outbreaks of TASS are
on the decline, and no
major outbreaks have
been tied to a particu-
lar product, medica-
tion or IOL. But inci-
dences are still occur-
ring at individual sur-
gical facilities, which
indicates there's still
work to be done at
preventing the avoid-
able complication.
Here are answers to
questions you might
have.
Q Eye instruments are different from other surgical instrumentation.
What factor does that play in TASS?
A Even a minute amount of enzyme or detergent left on surfaces of
ROOM SERVICE Flush instruments immediately after use to
prevent bioburden from drying on surfaces.
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