Maintaining sterility or cleanliness of the instruments is the issue. There are instruments that could be reused and there are other instruments that should be disposed. Opening a packet of Disposable instruments is done by the operating room or OR staff before performing ophthalmic surgery is as routine as scrubbing in.

Laparoscopic and thoracoscopic surgery belong to the broader field of endoscopy. In shorter terms, laparoscopy is endoscopy for the abdomen. Reusable instruments are expensive at first, but in the long run, cost effective.