Corneal Foreign Body Spuds: Golf Club, Dix, Ellis and Gouge Tips
Instrument guides
Corneal Foreign Body Spuds: Golf Club, Dix, Ellis and Gouge Tips
How foreign body spud tips differ, from the flat golf club to needle and gouge tips for rust rings, and how they are used at the slit lamp.
A foreign body spud is a small hand instrument with a flat or pointed tip that lifts a particle embedded in the corneal surface. The golf club spud has a flat, angled blade and is the gentlest choice. The Dix, Ellis and similar spuds have finer tips for smaller or deeper particles. Needle tipped spuds pick out tiny particles, and gouge tipped spuds scrape away the rust ring that a metal particle leaves behind.
How is a spud used?
The MSD Manual procedure for removing a foreign body from the eye describes lifting an embedded particle with a sterile spud or a fine needle, usually under slit lamp magnification after topical anesthetic. It also describes checking first for signs of perforation and stopping if they are present. Loose surface particles are irrigated or wiped off instead. This guide describes the instruments. The procedure belongs to trained clinicians.
Which spuds do we make?
| Spud | Tip | Choose it when |
|---|---|---|
| Golf club | Flat, angled blade | Superficial particles, gentle lift |
| Golf club, lightly rounded | Flat, rounded edge | The most superficial particles |
| Dix | Fine spud | General removal |
| Dix needle tip | Needle point | Tiny particles |
| Dix gouge tip | Gouge | Rust rings and residue |
| Dix double ended | Two tips | Two tips without changing instrument |
| Ellis, Davis, Francis, LaForce, Walter | Various spud shapes | Personal preference and particle type |
Which tip should a clinic keep?
A practical clinic set holds one flat golf club spud for most particles, one needle tip for very small ones, and one gouge tip for rust rings. Double ended spuds put two of those on one handle. Reusable steel spuds keep their shape and can be sterilized between patients.
How should spuds be cleaned?
Clean and sterilize spuds between patients. Inspect tips under magnification: a burred or bent tip can scratch the epithelium. Never leave instruments in saline, because it causes corrosion. Our instrument care guide gives the full routine, and the CDC guidance on cleaning instruments before sterilization explains why cleaning comes before the autoclave.
Frequently asked questions
What is a golf club spud?
A foreign body spud with a flat, angled blade shaped like a golf club head, used to lift superficial particles from the cornea.
What is a gouge tip spud for?
Scraping away a rust ring or residue left after a metal particle is removed.
Are foreign body spuds reusable?
Ours are stainless steel and can be cleaned and autoclaved between patients.
Spud or needle?
Both are used. A spud's blunt, flat tip is less likely to go too deep.
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