Which instrument is used to remove rust rings after a corneal foreign body is removed?

Which instrument is used to remove rust rings after a corneal foreign body is removed?

• A. Cotton-tipped applicator
• B. Alger brush
• C. Slit lamp
• D. Forceps

Answer: (B)

Rust rings form when iron from a corneal foreign body oxidizes and adheres to the corneal surface; removing them promptly prevents ongoing corrosion and staining. The Alger brush is specifically designed for this task—a tiny, soft-bristled brush used under slit-lamp illumination to gently sweep the rust ring away from the cornea without injuring the tissue. Its bristles allow controlled debridement of the iron deposits that a cotton-tipped applicator can’t reliably remove and without the risk of scratching that can come from rubbing with other tools. The slit lamp provides visualization and guidance but isn’t the removal instrument by itself, and forceps are used to extract solid foreign bodies rather than to clear rust rings.

Rust rings form when iron from a corneal foreign body oxidizes and adheres to the corneal surface; removing them promptly prevents ongoing corrosion and staining. The Alger brush is specifically designed for this task—a tiny, soft-bristled brush used under slit-lamp illumination to gently sweep the rust ring away from the cornea without injuring the tissue. Its bristles allow controlled debridement of the iron deposits that a cotton-tipped applicator can’t reliably remove and without the risk of scratching that can come from rubbing with other tools. The slit lamp provides visualization and guidance but isn’t the removal instrument by itself, and forceps are used to extract solid foreign bodies rather than to clear rust rings.