Certified Ophthalmic Assistant Practice Exam 2025 – 400 Free Practice Questions to Pass the Exam

The correct instrument used for removing a chalazion is a curette. This is because a chalazion is a cyst that forms due to a blocked oil gland in the eyelid, and the most effective way to excise it is through the use of a curette. A curette is a small, spoon-shaped instrument that allows for gentle scraping and removal of the cyst wall and contents.

In practical terms, once the chalazion has been accessed, the curette enables the surgeon to effectively remove the entire contents while minimizing damage to surrounding tissue. The use of this instrument is critical for ensuring adequate removal and helping to prevent recurrence.

Other instruments like dilators, forceps, and scissors serve different purposes in ophthalmic surgery. For instance, dilators are more focused on widening or opening structures and would not provide the capability needed to excise a chalazion. Forceps could be thought of for handling tissue but are not used specifically for the removal of cyst contents in this context. Scissors have their own applications in surgery but lack the specific design needed for the delicate task of chalazion removal.