Loupes

Re: Loupes

Rob Davis — Wed, 26 Jun 2013 14:50:15 GMT

Thanks Niall, that's really useful. I had already suspected that it would be sensible to pay a bit extra for the headband mounting, and you have confirmed this!

Re: Loupes

Niall Taylor — Mon, 24 Jun 2013 18:43:15 GMT

[quote user="patrick murphy"]I had trouble locating the cat![/quote]

Yeah, the narrow field of vision with magnifying loupes takes some getting used to - it's like operating while looking down a pair of binoculars (because it is!). The advantage is that you get excellent definition and have a normal working distance from the object compared with hi mag reading glasses which have a normal field of vision but the stronger the magnification you have, the closer you need to be to your subject.

We use Heine loupes which are brilliant; but you get what you pay for. Our first ones were the Heine C ones which are their budget range but we have recently had to upgrade to the I-view range which are more pricey but have a better lens system so don't have the prism effect round objects which makes them very distracting to use

Now I'm having to upgrade from the S-frame (spectacle mount) to the head-band mount as the S-frames really hurt after any length of time, despite the silicone nose rest etc.

We live and learn - beware false economy.

Cheers,

Niall

Re: Loupes

patrick murphy — Sat, 22 Jun 2013 16:44:47 GMT

I had trouble locating the cat![quote user="Bob Russell"]

Practice on a cat spay or two - good for working on your co-ordination skills without putting a patient at risk. It is an acquired knack!

[/quote]

Re: Loupes

Bob Russell — Tue, 18 Jun 2013 16:16:32 GMT

Practice on a cat spay or two - good for working on your co-ordination skills without putting a patient at risk. It is an acquired knack!

Re: Loupes

Malcolm Ness — Tue, 18 Jun 2013 15:57:26 GMT

[quote user="Evelyn Barbour-Hill"]You can never have too much light,[/quote]

I use a magnifying loupe occasionally for spinal surgery. The shallow depth of field is a bit of a nuisance that takes a little while to get used to. In general, and as Evelyn points out, illumination brings more benefit than magnification and before committing to the expense of a magnifying loupe I would try buying a (relatively) inexpensive focusable head light (from a good camping store) and see how you get on with that. If you do decide to go for magnification, don't go too strong - 2.5 is probably ideal as much more than that and your depth of field becomes paper thin and there is significant light-loss. Buy the very best you can afford and definitely look at the "skull-cap" arrangement rather than the modified spectacle frame. The better manufacturers will let you try before you buy.

Re: Loupes

Evelyn Barbour-Hill — Tue, 18 Jun 2013 15:17:11 GMT

You can never have too much light, and magnification will transform your dental experience (for the better). Once you've used good illuminated loupes, you never want to be without them

Unfortunately, good illuminated loupes are never going to be cheap, I fear. I guess they are all handmade by Swiss watchmakers and Italian footballers. Consider Voroscope (their quality ones, not their cheapo ones).

I'd avoid Welch Allyn. In my experience, they look good in the box but are very over-priced and not very robust, and the batteries are poor.

2.5x seems about right to me. Greater magnification gives a magnificent view but of course your field of view and depth of focus are less.

If they are held on your head just by spectacle frames, elastic on the back or not, the weight is taken by the bridge of your nose and it can get distinctly uncomfortabe in a long procedure. Things that tighten round your head, well, they can feel a bit tight round your head (and slip when you get sweaty). So see what you can get with a strap over the top of your head. It's personal preference.

Re: Loupes

Sandra Milburn — Tue, 18 Jun 2013 15:05:08 GMT

Not sure this is the same thing, but bought a binocular magnifier (head mounted), that I tend to use for ocular exams (mostly). Called 'Magnifocuser', from Veterinary Specialist Products. Seem to think they were about 70£.

Re: Loupes

Martin Atkinson — Tue, 18 Jun 2013 15:00:49 GMT

Yup, a decent pair of reading glasses and good overhead theatre light which I assume you already have!