A blade holder is provided for receiving and holding a keratome blade. The keratome blade used with the blade holder is of material so as to be attracted to a magnetic field. The blade holder includes a handle portion configured to be grasped by a user. A head portion is coupled to the handle portion and has a receiving surface sized to receive at least a portion of the keratome blade. The head portion is constructed and arranged to facilitate application of a magnetic field to attract the keratome blade such that the keratome blade can be carried by the receiving surface of the head portion. Hence, the blade can be inspected and loaded into a keratome having only been contacted by the sterile blade holder.