Best (Portable) Indirect?

[Cornbread]

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Starting ophthalmology in July, and looking to purchase a portable Indirect lamp for call. The residents in the class ahead of me mostly bought the "spectacle style" Keeler lamp, and have not been thrilled with its reliability (they have sent them in multiple times for repairs- I think battery related). I notice Heine has a spectacle style Indirect available (Heine Sigma 150). Have not spoken with anyone who has used it. Another resident told me he just bought a more traditional style lamp (with the full headband) and it works well, but was more cumbersome to lug around on call. Call is busy, as we cover 4 or 5 hospitals around the city.

Any recommendations? I suppose while portability is nice, reliability ultimately would be more important to me...

Thanks!

 

[Bluesclera]

I spoke with the Lombart rep recently and he said the mini indirects are the most dropped items they receive for repair. Does your program have indirects at the hospitals? Or could you split the cost of a more traditional indirect with a portable battery with your co residents ?


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[Slide]

I've used both the Heine and Keeler wireless portable indirects and they are both great. I would say the Keeler is less cumbersome but the Heine's narrow pupil function allows you to see better in undilated or minimally dilated eyes, which can come in handy at times.

I would not use the spectacle indirects, they seem flimsy and prone to breaking. Portability is great but reliability is king. This is even more so if you're traveling a lot, thus meaning your portable equipment will be taking on a lot of wear.

 

[DrZeke]

I spoke with the Lombart rep recently and he said the mini indirects are the most dropped items they receive for repair. Does your program have indirects at the hospitals? Or could you split the cost of a more traditional indirect with a portable battery with your co residents ?


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Many programs have a call kit with an indirect. My program has an indirect available for every ER, however I chose to just buy my own. It cost me a lot, but I've never regretted the choice, as I want to do retina.


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[DrZeke]

Many programs have a call kit with an indirect. My program has an indirect available for every ER, however I chose to just buy my own. It cost me a lot, but I've never regretted the choice, as I want to do retina.

I would never split the cost of something like that with co-residents. You open yourself up for disagreements... With expensive items, when something breaks nobody wants to take the blame and not everyone has the same ideas or habits of "proper treatment" of an expensive device. Like for example I keep my indirect in a case while someone else might toss it into the backseat.


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[DrZeke]

Ha I have no idea what happened to my post - it got split up - but u get the drift


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[Cornbread]

Thanks for the replies!

So- we do have a lamp in the call bag- but for whatever reason, be it logistics of handing it off, or the fact that call is so busy that sometimes two residents end up working, the residents at my program often choose to buy their own indirect. I plan on doing international work and probably would buy my own regardless.

Sounds like the wireless Heine might be a good investment. I might see what I can find on eBay.

Any other thoughts? Any particular lamp you swear by?

 

[DrZeke]

Thanks for the replies!

So- we do have a lamp in the call bag- but for whatever reason, be it logistics of handing it off, or the fact that call is so busy that sometimes two residents end up working, the residents at my program often choose to buy their own indirect. I plan on doing international work and probably would buy my own regardless.

Sounds like the wireless Heine might be a good investment. I might see what I can find on eBay.

Any other thoughts? Any particular lamp you swear by?

I wouldn't necessarily buy on eBay if you plan on using long term. Residents get discounts from reps and there will be warranty and local repairs if you buy through the rep that tends to be affiliated w ur program. If you get on eBay you will likely not have any of that as an option. Though perhaps I'm out of touch w eBay?


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[vtrain]

I have a keeler spectra iris for sale. It was great during residency but now that I'm in private practice it's collecting dust. Let me know if you are interested in purchasing

 

[100D]

Most retina fellows, and many retina attendings, don't own their own indirects. They are everywhere. Aside from logistical issues mentioned above, I think there's a huge benefit in learning to use many different types of indirects that are available in clinics, ORs, consult bags, etc. Yes many may seem crappy, but in my opinion, you've gotta learn how to see well with beat up indirects.