What is a critical safety consideration when performing PMU near the eye?

• A. Use protective eye shields or barriers to prevent pigment from entering ocular tissues, and minimize risk of accidental penetration.
• B. Apply extra pigment near the eye to ensure fullness.
• C. Avoid washing hands before procedure.
• D. Use non-sterile gloves.

Answer: (A)

Protecting the eye area is the top safety priority when PMU is performed near the eye. Using protective eye shields or barriers creates a physical barrier between the needle and ocular tissues, helping prevent pigment from entering the eye and reducing the risk of accidental penetration or injury to ocular structures. This practice directly minimizes potential harm to vision and the cornea.

The other options increase risk or ignore hygiene standards: adding more pigment near the eye is unsafe and unnecessary; not washing hands before the procedure compromises cleanliness; and using non-sterile gloves jeopardizes sterility and increases infection risk.