Loupes

RE: Loupes

Beats — Thu, 27 May 2021 18:47:58 GMT

I got one of these in the end:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Carson-MagniVisor-Head-Band-Magnifier-Interchangeable/dp/B007CDJKM2/ref=pd_lpo_201_t_0/262-0859731-7582730?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B01B64353M&pd_rd_r=bf6d995a-85df-4b46-983b-783cf1f7c852&pd_rd_w=OSRFP&pd_rd_wg=rDXsq&pf_rd_p=3366510f-1771-44b5-99e2-20c1889506ac&pf_rd_r=793FX0W58J8C6WC4Z74N&psc=1&refRID=793FX0W58J8C6WC4Z74N

Haven't acutally used it at work yet, but certainly helps when reading bedtime stories in a dim room.

RE: Loupes

KathW — Thu, 27 May 2021 17:20:11 GMT

Thanks Rob. That’s really helpful and makes sense. I was trying to work out what people generally use them for from the comments on various threads. As you and others have said better lighting seems more useful in many cases.

RE: Loupes

Rob Davis — Thu, 27 May 2021 16:25:56 GMT

I don't think loupes are necessary (or useful?) for most abdominal surgery, unless you are doing very clever vascular surgery etc. A decent head light is extremely useful and for this reason I wear my loupes for all surgery, but they are the flip down type, so I only use the magnification when required, but but light is invaluable, particularly being able to direct it into the darkest recesses of the abdomen.

RE: Loupes

KathW — Thu, 27 May 2021 13:01:21 GMT

Resurrecting this thread to ask about people’s experiences using loupes for soft tissue and abdominal surgery. I’ve read through a few of the different threads discussing loupes on the forum. Most seem to be discussing use for dentistry and there are obviously some issues with the reduced depth of field when using them.

Does anyone use them for general surgery? I’ve seen advice to try them out on a cat spay. How about a Labrador bitch spay? Would that take more getting used to because of the deeper abdomen and therefore operating at different depths or is it a case of moving your head closer/further away?
What about an ex lap when you want an overall view of the abdomen and also to focus on some organs/areas. Is it a case of not using the loupes for some parts of the surgery in some cases?

Thanks in advance for any tips or input.

RE: Loupes

Marni Miller — Sun, 24 Jan 2021 21:56:28 GMT

You’re welcome Luke!!!

RE: Loupes

Evelyn Barbour-Hill — Sun, 24 Jan 2021 19:29:13 GMT

All excellent advice.

If the budget is a tad limited, look at Opticlar.... almost as good as Heine and much less expensive.

Get something that has the full support with a strap over your head. Anything with just a head band or resting on your nose will leave you in some pain at the end of an operating session.

Don't go for excessive magnification. 2.5x is plenty.

Consider battery life and charging means. Consider whether you want the battery on your head (extra weight) or on your belt (can be awkward with the wire). Can you use them while plugged into the mains if necessary?

Always get them fitted by an expert representative of the company. Make sure you are truly happy before you pay for them.

Misting can be a problem but the anti-mist stuff your optician will sell you is helpful.

And....

Once you are old enough to qualify for free eye examinations, get your eyes tested frequently.

RE: Loupes

Neil Wheadon — Sun, 24 Jan 2021 18:10:32 GMT

Wonderful statistic from a doctor

By the age of 50, you get 70% less light through your cornea's. That's why you ask your children to turn the lights up

Neil

RE: Loupes

Luke Bam — Sun, 24 Jan 2021 17:55:06 GMT

I feel your pain Beats. About 7 years ago I spent a lot of time weighing up the pros and cons of different loupe styles and in the end went with the EyeMag Loupes from Zeiss. They are expensive but excellent quality. I wear prescription glasses so needed a system compatible with this. I wouldn’t go near a cat dental procedure without them now and to be honest I wouldn’t be terribly happy doing any fiddly canine dental work either. As has already been said by people far more qualified than me, illumination is terribly important. There is no point having 2.5x magnification if there isn’t sufficient light to magnify! Back then, to save money, I bought a relatively good quality (circa £100) head torch, rather than paying out for the even more expensive compatible loupe light source that Zeiss provide, and it has worked well. The battery back has had a recent duropore stitch-up but still going strong. The only thing I would say with The EyeMag system is that the loupes are heavy (especially with my prescription lenses in the titanium frames), and after several hours of wearing them, I am relieved to take it all off.

There is a considerable learning curve with loupes, but in my opinion, it is well worth the effort.

Thank you Marni Miller ;)

RE: Loupes

Jill Butterworth — Sun, 24 Jan 2021 10:41:47 GMT

[quote userid="3169" url="~/001/nonclinical/f/life-in-practice-discussions/29623/loupes/228074#228074"]Don't scrimp on optics.[/quote]

Absolutely agree, you'll be faster and safer: everybody wins. If you can't read bottles properly you won't see surgical detail with clarity and you'll lose confidence without realising why.

RE: Loupes

Michael Woodhouse — Sat, 23 Jan 2021 20:14:09 GMT

[quote userid="12930" url="~/001/nonclinical/f/life-in-practice-discussions/29623/loupes"]my eyesight would have to be threatening my ability to get employment before i'd pay that amount.[/quote]

Don't scrimp on optics. I've spent more than that on rifle scopes that I don't use a handful of times per year.

My advice would always be to go German.

Are you an owner or employee, Beats? See if your practice can purchase them, save some VAT and even if you get it taken off before wages - you save money. With things like this you quickly forget the money spent.

RE: Loupes

Elizabeth — Sat, 23 Jan 2021 17:01:34 GMT

Thanks. Was hoping it wouldn’t be an issue. Probably due a tangent, but what route did you take from dentistry to advanced dentistry?

RE: Loupes

Rob Davis — Sat, 23 Jan 2021 11:39:23 GMT

The only way I can avoid misting is taping the top of my mask. It is a little uncomfortable removing it but I regard it as exfoliation and tape over the nose isn't an entirely bad look....

RE: Loupes

Elizabeth — Sat, 23 Jan 2021 11:08:02 GMT

Rob, do you ever have misting uo problems with them?

RE: Loupes

Jill Butterworth — Sat, 23 Jan 2021 09:16:38 GMT

I had this dilemma when my eyesight deteriorated in my 40's and glasses never achieved the good vision of my original eyesight. I never splashed out on Loupes due to cost, but going to the BSAVA meant you could try several types at the trade stands. Who knows when this will be possible again.

Definitely go for an eye test, your eyes may well be getting age related change which will eventually settle down. You need to know if there are differences in each eye.

As an aside, I have just this month had a crown replaced by a dentist wearing Loupes and his PPE was definitely incorrectly fitted: he was wearing it with the mask only over his mouth, which could be a misting problem or due to his large nose! I had to close my eyes and console myself that he is probably being tested for Covid twice weekly.

RE: Loupes

Rob Davis — Sat, 23 Jan 2021 09:13:23 GMT

I purchased these Heine loupes several years ago when I started doing more advanced dentistry and I have never regretted the money spent. I have used them pretty much every single day for probably 7 or 8 years and they are still going strong. The light is invaluable and makes a massive difference to all ops - the ability to lift and lower the loupes in a sterile fashion without affecting the light is really useful. I find the head set is much more comfortable and stable than just the glasses-type fitting.

There are lots of loupe and light sets out there (don't by any without a decent light, you will regret it) and generally you get what you pay for. Spend as much as you an afford and look at it as an investment. My loupes are far and away my most used single piece of kit.

I asked this same question before purchasing mine and there is a more recent discussion here.

RE: Loupes

Elizabeth — Sat, 23 Jan 2021 05:59:28 GMT

I’ve been thinking of going this route too so interested in what people say. Do they steam up in the same way as glasses do, when wearing masks?