Are loupes bad for your eyes?

[pawkinlot]

does going for a higher magnification hurt your eyes down the line? I want to get some 3.5 loupes but some students are telling me at my school not to and that they can be bad for your eyes and that it is not worth the price difference. I dont mind paying a few hundred $ extra since this should be only a one time investment (i dont want to buy 2.5 and then 4-5 years later have to buy a new pair that are 3.5 or higher), but if the argument that loupes can hurt your eyes if you get a higher magnification is true then I may reconsider my decision...does anyone have any thoughts on this?

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[armorshell]

I don't even really see how that could possibly even occur. Increased mag is great, I love my 3.5x EFs

 

[MNdental]

My understanding is that they reduce eye strain, but i dont know about higher mags. in fact, i dont know much at all.

 

[jay47]

does going for a higher magnification hurt your eyes down the line? I want to get some 3.5 loupes but some students are telling me at my school not to and that they can be bad for your eyes and that it is not worth the price difference. I dont mind paying a few hundred $ extra since this should be only a one time investment (i dont want to buy 2.5 and then 4-5 years later have to buy a new pair that are 3.5 or higher), but if the argument that loupes can hurt your eyes if you get a higher magnification is true then I may reconsider my decision...does anyone have any thoughts on this?

Let me tell you from the experience of someone who has 2.5's. GET THE 3.5's!! I have no idea what they are talking about when they say 3.5's hurt your eyes. POOR OPTICAL quality loupes can hurt your eyes, but that is with any magnification. Just stick with a reputable brand like Orascoptic, Designs for Vision, Surgitel, Q Optics, etc... and you should be fine.
Every single person in my class got 2.5, but we wish we would have gotten 3.5's. 2.5 is great, but if you can afford it, get 3.5 expanded field. You won't have to buy another pair later...

 

[newyorkblork]

I can't really imagine any scenario where reduction of eye strain would hurt your eyes.

My thoughts... go for the 3.5, or even the 3.5 Expanded Field if you want to be fancy~

 

[pawkinlot]

thanks for such quick/good replies! im def going to get the 3.5 efv

 

[newyorkblork]

thanks for such quick/good replies! im def going to get the 3.5 efv

Is it worth it?

I know it'll help in the future, and that it's an investment, but right now (D1) I feel like I'd be forking out quite a lot of money to have prettier plastic teeth. And all the time we're in school, the debt money used to buy said loupes will build interest, so it's kind of like paying for it twice ... 😛

 

[DrReo]

Is it worth it?

I know it'll help in the future, and that it's an investment, but right now (D1) I feel like I'd be forking out quite a lot of money to have prettier plastic teeth. And all the time we're in school, the debt money used to buy said loupes will build interest, so it's kind of like paying for it twice ... 😛

They are no doubt worth it.

 

[pawkinlot]

Is it worth it?

I know it'll help in the future, and that it's an investment, but right now (D1) I feel like I'd be forking out quite a lot of money to have prettier plastic teeth. And all the time we're in school, the debt money used to buy said loupes will build interest, so it's kind of like paying for it twice ... 😛

maybe not the best mentality that I have, but im paying 65k+ a year for tuition at NYU, the $400 or so that will accrue in interest over the next 4 years is fairly minuscule in the scheme of things 😉

 

[jay47]

maybe not the best mentality that I have, but im paying 65k+ a year for tuition at NYU, the $400 or so that will accrue in interest over the next 4 years is fairly minuscule in the scheme of things 😉

I fully understand your frugal mentality- it's a good trait. However, I know without a doubt that loupes are a good investment. You will look back during your 2nd and third year in clinic (provided you actually practiced with them your 1st and 2nd years) and greatly appreciate that you have them. So will your back in 20 years...

 

[newyorkblork]

I fully understand your frugal mentality- it's a good trait. However, I know without a doubt that loupes are a good investment. You will look back during your 2nd and third year in clinic (provided you actually practiced with them your 1st and 2nd years) and greatly appreciate that you have them. So will your back in 20 years...

Alright, thanks guys, I will start snooping around and visiting vendors. Missed the DFV guy today unfortunately 🙁

I just read so much about "Don't get sucked in by fancy toys before you can afford them", and I was wondering if that was exactly what's happening here... haha.

maybe not the best mentality that I have, but im paying 65k+ a year for tuition at NYU, the $400 or so that will accrue in interest over the next 4 years is fairly minuscule in the scheme of things 😉

Yes this is true, but it hurts when you think about it too hard 😛

 

[DrReo]

Is it worth it?

I know it'll help in the future, and that it's an investment, but right now (D1) I feel like I'd be forking out quite a lot of money to have prettier plastic teeth. And all the time we're in school, the debt money used to buy said loupes will build interest, so it's kind of like paying for it twice ... 😛

Paying for it twice from interest? 8.5% on $1500-2000 for the 3.5x EF vs the crappy 2.5x for $900-1200 PLUS the $1500-2000 because you wanted to save a few bucks. I hear the government is now accepting applications.

 

[newyorkblork]

Paying for it twice from interest? 8.5% on $1500-2000 for the 3.5x EF vs the crappy 2.5x for $900-1200 PLUS the $1500-2000 because you wanted to save a few bucks. I hear the government is now accepting applications.

Haha it was an exaggeration.

My first post was re: loupes in general, not buying the 2.5 and the 3.5x EF later.

 

[peerless218]

How about those high pitch sounds the high speed make huh?? I started wearing ear plugs after I learned the damage those sound can do to your ears.

 

[Drabuisa]

How about those high pitch sounds the high speed make huh?? I started wearing ear plugs after I learned the damage those sound can do to your ears.

You got that right! 9 people in my class have already gone deaf and 2 are blind from staring at their laptops all day. I luckily only have extreme kyphosis from wearing a backpack.

 

[gatorfan99]

You got that right! 9 people in my class have already gone deaf and 2 are blind from staring at their laptops all day. I luckily only have extreme kyphosis from wearing a backpack.

LOL, Holy crap! Where do you go to school?!?

 

[peerless218]

You got that right! 9 people in my class have already gone deaf and 2 are blind from staring at their laptops all day. I luckily only have extreme kyphosis from wearing a backpack.

Kyphosis? You're lucky because I am getting lordosis👍👍

 

[druidhill]

go with the 3.5. With the all the jewelers, surgeons and dentists that have been using them for years, I'm sure there would be some published studies of loupes deteriorating eye site, if in fact they did.