Bio

[Oculomotor]

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I am in OD school and I am looking at Welch-Allen, Heine, and Keeler for a BIO. Welch-Allen is the cheapest of the lot. I bought a Heine diagnostic kit and love the build quality. Any thoughts or advice from current students or OD's? Thanks

 

[cpw]

you'll master whatever your buy. I, personally had Heine because I loved the diagnostic kit. At work, we have Topcon and they function exactly the same.

Make sure which ever one you get has a battery pack or is cordless. Being chained to the wall is a pain in the a$$.

 

[362.04]

Dear oculomotor,

If you end up working at a lot of different places, it really won't matter what you will use. You will use whatever is on the wall or on the rack.

If there is one thing that would make things is being ambidextrous.

 

[r_salis]

Make sure which ever one you get has a battery pack or is cordless. Being chained to the wall is a pain in the a$$.

I think I was the only person in my class who bought a corded BIO, but it never bothered me.

 

[rpames]

I have the keeler, but I have jumped from Heine to WA to Keeler to Topcon and it is not a problem. I know several people in my class who got WA and they were not very happy with it. If you plan to work for someone else when you graduate, or work at a chain, your equipment will probably just sit in your basement anyway, so get the cheap one. If you are going to go solo or expand a practice you will need your BIO for the new room.

I really like my Keeler. I use a 20 year old keeler in one of the exam rooms I use, and it works great. That makes me think Keeler will last a while.

As far as it being corded or not. I have a battery pack, but I can also have it always plugged-in. I like having it plugged in because I never have to worry about it being dead. The cord is plenty long, and I have never had the need to run around the office with a BIO on.

 

[Oculomotor]

Thanks for all the responses. I think I am going to get the Heine with a portable battery pack......

 

[Ryan_eyeball]

Thanks for all the responses. I think I am going to get the Heine with a portable battery pack......

I feel like they all are about the same, whichever you get you'll become proficient with it. I guess if I had to rate one the lowest it would be WA, but its always very light on the head.

I never cared for spectacle mounted BIO's, definitely a headset guy.

 

[362.04]

I have to say that a spectacle mounted BIO is useful for home or nursing home visits. When you are mobile outside of the office, it is extremely helpful to minimize the weight and mass of what you're carrying around.

I can reconfigure the standard case of a BIO and put in a spectacle mounted BIO, a handheld slit lamp and a Kowa handhled applanation tonometer with a digital camera all in the same case that a larger BIO would use.

 

[prettygreeneyes]

I have to say that a spectacle mounted BIO is useful for home or nursing home visits. When you are mobile outside of the office, it is extremely helpful to minimize the weight and mass of what you're carrying around.

I can reconfigure the standard case of a BIO and put in a spectacle mounted BIO, a handheld slit lamp and a Kowa handhled applanation tonometer with a digital camera all in the same case that a larger BIO would use.

Would you advise against a spec mount for more general purposes? I'm extremely attracted to the lightweight and more portable design, but I'm not sure if it is worth giving up all of the bells and whistles of the standard BIO.

Anyone else with an opinon on spec mount BIOs? Or BIOs in general? Making the big purchase in a few weeks.

 

[cunikki]

I don't know how it works at your school but at my school you need to have a head mounted one because when you work in the clinic the staff doctor checks BIO with your BIO. Also I know that in some instances you either need to have it mounted on glasses wiht your Rx or have plano ones that cannot be worn with an Rx. When you are practicing it is pretty hard to put dilating drops in your eyes then put your CLS back in to use it. You really get used to it over time.. i have a Heine 150 and its really lightweight....

 

[docwatson]

Would you advise against a spec mount for more general purposes? I'm extremely attracted to the lightweight and more portable design, but I'm not sure if it is worth giving up all of the bells and whistles of the standard BIO.

Anyone else with an opinon on spec mount BIOs? Or BIOs in general? Making the big purchase in a few weeks.

Get a standard BIO. They are far more sturdy. I really don't see the point in getting a spec-mounted one.

 

[sniklegem]

There's a bunch of people in my class who are getting spec mounted ones because:
1. They are planning on doing SVOSH the next 3 years and thereafter. Easier to travel with, lighter on the head, blah blah blah.
2. They generally like the feel of the Heine one. No one likes the Keeler LED ones. No one.
3. The optics on the Heine are the same as the headmount, so you get great views.

It's personal preference, and my choice is a big, fat NO, 🙂, but several people do find them advantageous.

Also, 2 of the 3 staff docs in our lab have spec mounts. They like how they can put them around their necks and take them from room to room.

***12 Days Until Purchase Time***

 

[docwatson]

It's personal preference, and my choice is a big, fat NO, 🙂

Agreed.

There was not one person in my class who ordered a spec mount and not one professor at my school had one that was used regularly (they may have had one in the back room, I don't know). I suspect that only those who have specific reasons would buy one--I'm not sure what those reasons might be since I can't think of any advantage to the style. I think the headband keeps the optics steady and it's very important to get a good view.

So don't listen to anyone who tells you that it's a 50:50 decision. It's not. Just buy the one with the headband and you won't go wrong. It's expensive equipment and it's going to last a lifetime. Spend your money on the stuff you really need then once you graduate, think about buying the exceptions (even then money will be tight so you probably won't buy it then either).

 

[sniklegem]

So don't listen to anyone who tells you that it's a 50:50 decision. It's not. Just buy the one with the headband and you won't go wrong.

Disagree.

Some people can't wear the headmounts because of headaches and balancing issues. It might not be a 50/50 split decision (I'd say it's more like 70/30), but in my experience I'd rather have the spec mount than the WA. To steal from my favorite show: seriously.

 

[docwatson]

Disagree.

Some people can't wear the headmounts because of headaches and balancing issues. It might not be a 50/50 split decision (I'd say it's more like 70/30), but in my experience I'd rather have the spec mount than the WA. To steal from my favorite show: seriously.

Snikle...

Did an informal survey and 90% said they use the headmount. That really sounds terrible: As if the BIO is actually MOUNTED to a head. 😀

 

[sniklegem]

Snikle...

Did an informal survey and 90% said they use the headmount. That really sounds terrible: As if the BIO is actually MOUNTED to a head. 😀

Doc: I don't know about you, but it at least feels like a BIO is literally mounted to my head as of late.

And I'm getting the Keeler Vantage Wireless. Made my decision on Thursday/Friday, putting my order in on Monday.

 

[docwatson]

And I'm getting the Keeler Vantage Wireless. Made my decision on Thursday/Friday, putting my order in on Monday.

Good for you... Mr. Keeler thanks you... 😉

 

[sniklegem]

Actually, he did.

 

[docwatson]

Actually, he did.

Good for you.

 

[sniklegem]

Have you ever met him?
I was pleasantly surprised to have THE Keeler man tell me all about the product.

 

[docwatson]

Have you ever met him?
I was pleasantly surprised to have THE Keeler man tell me all about the product.

Again, good for you. He's at all the shows.

 

[362.04]

Would you advise against a spec mount for more general purposes? I'm extremely attracted to the lightweight and more portable design, but I'm not sure if it is worth giving up all of the bells and whistles of the standard BIO.

Anyone else with an opinon on spec mount BIOs? Or BIOs in general? Making the big purchase in a few weeks.

I think the spectacle mounted BIO is an extremely versatile tool and can do general indirect examination of the eye.

I also think it isn't the equipment that can define a practitioner. A good practitioner can use any kind of equipment.

 

[sniklegem]

I also think it isn't the equipment that can define a practitioner. A good practitioner can use any kind of equipment.

Well said!
That's the encouragement we students need to see!

 

[docwatson]

I think the spectacle mounted BIO is an extremely versatile tool and can do general indirect examination of the eye.

I also think it isn't the equipment that can define a practitioner. A good practitioner can use any kind of equipment.

That's not exactly true. A smart practitioner uses the best tools available to give the best possible exam for his/her patients. Naturally cost plays a part in this so you do what you can.

I don't think a spec mount BIO would give any less of an exam. It's a personal preference that you have to try out yourself. However, I wouldn't buy one because I just don't think they are as stable as the head strap design. If I'm going to spend over $1,000 for something I want it to be something that I'm going to be 100% satisfied with.

Take the Keeler Pulsair. While it seems like a great concept having a portable NCT, I decided against buying one because the accuracy and ease of use of the table top variety won out over portability factor. It seems like the Pulsair is more trouble than it's worth--especially since I wouldn't be the one using the device--my techs would. Clearly, this was the case with most docs, otherwise it would have won out over the more expensive table top versions which completely dominate the market (they are at least 1.5 to 2 times as much).

So when you look for equipment, find out what is the most popular and figure out why. Doctors do not spend their precious capital frivolously. You really have to get the best bang for your hard earned dollars. Of course ask around, try out the instruments at the shows, and even get a rep to let him/her bring one into your office for a test drive for free (this apparently sells a lot of product).

My advice about any instrument... Life is too short. Pay a little more for the better products because you've got greater things to worry about. Getting a little better resolution or clarity, a product that doesn't break down so easily, or getting extra options that make for a better overall exam are worth it in the long run.

I think you will all get the idea when you start practicing... 😀