Loupes

[eiresurg]

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Looking for a pair of loupes for general purpose usage (i.e. Vascular and Plastics cases). Most people in my program use "Designs for Vision" loupes, but they are so darned expensive and butt-ugly. I don't intend to pursue a career that requires daily use of these things, so I don't want to invest a small fortune. But, I do want something reliable, durable and comfortable.

So far i've found the following alternatives:

Oculus
Surgical Acuity
Luxtec
SheerVision

Anyone have any experience with any of these? Any recommendations regarding loupes mounted within the frame lenses versus those mounted in front on a swivel arm?

Thanks for any input!

Craig

 

[Casey James]

Great topic. I'll be looking into this in a few months as long as the match goes allright (fingers crossed). I looked around at different vendors at the ACS convention. Everything seemed to be in the same price range - roughly $800. My problem with the 'design for vision' specs isn't so much that they look dorky. They do, but the "cool" alternatives look even worse IMHO. They tend to look like cheap sunshades AND it's obvious that you're trying to be image conscious. My issue with the 'design for vision' loupes is that the stupid wooden box they come with doesn't fit into the pockets of any white coat (other than the crappy medstudent short coat). I'd really like to get a pair that could fit into an intern's white coat pocket.

Also, I wonder if anyone can say whether it's worth it to shell out an extra hundred bucks or so for a slightly wider field of vision. I think most brands give that option.



-casey

 

[njbmd]

Hi there,
Do not purchase loupes before the Match. My program bought loupes and headlamps for all categorical residents. You might be wasting your money if you purchase these things before you match and then find out that your program purchases them for you.

njbmd 🙂

P.S. I keep that wooden box in a shelf in the OR (where everyone else keeps theirs) anyway so I don't have to carry it around in a labcoat pocket.

 

[fishmonger69]

Hi there,
Do not purchase loupes before the Match. My program bought loupes and headlamps for all categorical residents. You might be wasting your money if you purchase these things before you match and then find out that your program purchases them for you.

njbmd 🙂

P.S. I keep that wooden box in a shelf in the OR (where everyone else keeps theirs) anyway so I don't have to carry it around in a labcoat pocket.

i've heard of community programs doing this, but never an academic institution.

 

[FliteSurgn]

Definately wait until you get to your residency. Not too many interns will need them anyway. In my case, the residency would pay for half. I never got any because I have 20/10 vision and honestly never had a problem performing even delicate suturing with my unaided eyesight.

 

[f_w]

Wait until you at least make your meager residents salary so you can write them off as a work related expense.

 

[Casey James]

Wait until you at least make your meager residents salary so you can write them off as a work related expense.

Now that's good to know. Thanks, f_w 😎

 

[PDT4CNV]

Looking for a pair of loupes for general purpose usage (i.e. Vascular and Plastics cases). Most people in my program use "Designs for Vision" loupes, but they are so darned expensive and butt-ugly. I don't intend to pursue a career that requires daily use of these things, so I don't want to invest a small fortune. But, I do want something reliable, durable and comfortable.

So far i've found the following alternatives:

Oculus
Surgical Acuity
Luxtec
SheerVision

Anyone have any experience with any of these? Any recommendations regarding loupes mounted within the frame lenses versus those mounted in front on a swivel arm?

Thanks for any input!

Craig

I've used the oculus easy loupes. They are 2.5X. I think they sell for around $400. For cheap loupes they were comfortable, relatively durable, and the optics were fairly decent. Personally, I don't like loupes with much higher mag than that.

 

[mcindoe]

Most people in my program use "Designs for Vision" loupes, but they are so darned expensive and butt-ugly.

actually, designs for vision has a newer design for vision (ok, i know, bad pun). instead of the classic frame that makes you look like a waiter at a 1950's ice cream parlor, they now have a titanium frame that looks much more modern and more importantly is MUCH more lightweight and comfortable. they retail for more than the classic frame but what's great is that if you're a resident you can get the titanium frame for the same price as the classic frame. i bought mine a few months ago and the cost was $850 with everything included (retail cost is over $1300). i've worn them already in a few vascular cases and they're great. if you wear glasses they'll make the lenses in your prescription.

the only other company i've seen used is surgical acuity. they admittedly have a much cooler box for storing your loupes (metal rather than wood), but other than that they seem like the same thing.

i don't know how much more expensive the designs for vision frames are, but i wouldn't take any chances with this sort of investment. it's the same reason why you probably all purchased littman steths and welch allyn ophtho-otoscopes instead of the lesser-known cheaper competition. go with a company that has earned a well-established reputation for reliability.

 

[eiresurg]

Thanks for the input so far.

Any specific comments about the lens-mounted versus those mounted on a swivel arm?

 

[surg]

I have surgical acuity loupes. Absolutely love them. They have a slightly wider field of vision than the designs for vision loupes for the same weight. Whatever you do don't get the extended field Designs loupes without wearing them for at least 1/2 an hour, they are extremely heavy, and for those of us without strong neck muscles and a decent bridge on your nose, they can be quite painful. 2.5x standard should be enough for most general/vascular surgeons. both designs and surgical acuity should be adequate. FYI: Surgical Acuity used to be known as Orascoptic and dominated the dental market the way Designs dominated the medical market.

As to the flip down, I know two people who use them. They like them and as a general rule they are cheaper. I chose not to get them because I'm the kind of person who fiddles with my microscope all the time to get the focus perfect. I suspected that I would be annoyed since you may have trouble getting the flip down to sit in exactly the right spot each time since it is often the nurse that will flip it down for you (since you are sterile and the glasses aren't).

 

[eiresurg]

i purchased Perioptix loupes with the Hogie's frames yesterday.

a loupes distributor from sotamedical.com visited our facility yesterday. they offered Gallilean brand loupes mounted on Hogie's frames. they're regular price was $1350 but were offering at a resident's discount for $995. i really liked the Hogie's frames system, but the price was still higher than i wanted to pay. so, i found them for $695 offered at perioptix.com. the loupes are Perioptix own brand mounted on the Hogie's frame system.

compared to the Designs for Vision loupes i have been borrowing, the Hogies frames are MUCH more comfortable. additionally, they have greater versatility. the loupes are mounted on a swivel arm attached magnetically (there's a screw to secure them if you wish) which means they can be flipped up and down or be easily removed completely if you wish. the Hogie's frames come in several colors, have several magnetically attached adjustable nose pieces, and come with prescription lens mounts or without. they can also be used as protective eyewear without the loupes. since the loupes aren't mounted in the prescription lenses, you don't have to get an entirely new set of loupes when your prescription lenses change (you will with Surgical Acuity or Designs for Vision). the great price, comfort and versatility of theses loupes were a no-brainer purchase for me.

hope this info is useful for future loupes buyers . . .

craig

 

[droliver]

For the record, I used the Desighn for visions 2.5x for 7 years. I rarely use them at all anymore as I don't do hand or microsurgery.

My thoughts:

-Yeah they're dorky (the DFV's), but they are really sturdy and a little more solidly made I think. DFV is really the standard & has been for years. I've tried the Surgical acuity & Zeiss models and just didn't really like either.

-The weight of the 2.5's is pretty negligible. The 3.5x & up start to get pretty heavy. If you plan on doing vascular surgery or hand surgery in any large amount, I'd get the 3.5x lenses. Really you only need that level of magnification for distal lower leg vascular surgery or some of the larger digital nerves with hand surgery.

-the advantage of these "flip-up" desighns makes no sense to me. It seems like one more variable to cause issues, rather then some great desighn advance. Most people who use loupes to any degree just get used to looking thru the lens field of view for everything. If they're really uncomfortable or uneeded, you're more likely to have them taken off rather then flipping the lenses

 

[Ergo]

The flip-up kind hae a longer lever arm, which means more forehead pressure. Those things are strapped to your head and can really cause a headache in a long vascular or microsurgery case.
The in-lens loupes do not have the same weight or head pressure.

 

[drpectin]

I purchased the Surgical Acuity Loupes last year, and I am very happy with them. 2.5x, round field of vison (instead of DFV's elliptical field), lightweight and they cost $700 for a custom fitted TTL. 😎