OMFS: Loupes and headlight recommendation

[DownFracture]

I'm about to start my OMFS residency and wanted to see what current residents are using for loupes and headlight?

I currently have DFV 3.5x expanded field with their daylite mini headlight. However, I find myself constantly needing to look over the loupes when doing extractions/suturing/etc...and the problem is these telescopes take up a ton of room and it makes it difficult. Plus, I'd like a brighter light.

So, are loupes even necessary? I was thinking of possibly downgrading to some lightweight, small 2.5x loupes.

What about headlights? Does anyone use Enova LED?

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[nopo]

I had 4.5 zeiss loupes in dental school (because I wanted to see the dentinal tubules). Not once did I wear those bad boys during residency and they currently reside in my garage. I now use 2.5 because they get the job done for any omf procedure you might need loupes for - neck dissection, parotidecdtomy, lingual nerve repair, palate repair, etc. When residency starts, don't bust out the loupes for your first case of thirds. In fact, if you put on any magnification as an intern and actually see what your hands are doing, you might cry.

My advice is to put the loupes away for the next few years and learn a lot. Once you are a senior resident, evaluate your loupes. The 3.5 may be fine. As far as headlights, you shouldn't need to buy one until you finish residency.

 

[Localnative]

have never used loupes in rez or private practice but I did purchase a MED LED Sapphire headlamp over a year ago and it has changed my life both in my office and the OR. its lightweight and very comfortable (you can wear it for an 8 hour case, no issues)

 

[jamesthedon]

I use a feather lite by ultra light optics because it is super light (only weighs 3 grams) and is really bright too. Can't recommend it enough

 

[vellnueve]

I'm headed into residency with no intention of using loupes. I currently do all my work (exams/operative/prosth/endo/surgery included impacted thirds) with an Ultralight Optics light mounted on Smith and Wesson Magnum clear safety glasses.

 

[The Anhedonia]

loupes are very handy both when repairing lacs in the ED or operating in the OR. I converted my DFV buddy holly 2.5x to work for surgery (increased the working distance as surgery = standing).

i do not recommend those dinky battery pack based lights though, if you need illumination move your overhead lights or plud in a fiberoptic headlamp.

 

[480640]

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[vellnueve]

Can't believe you don't use any magnification at all!! Your natural vision seems to be amazing.

Did u not use any loupes during dental school either??

I used DVI 2.5 loupes for everything until I had PRK surgery, although I always did a few procedures with just glasses to ensure that I didn't become dependent. During the healing process from the surgery I didn't get my prescription updated so I went straight vision - once I had stabilized I realized I didn't need it and that I was working faster and more efficiently than ever.

Nice to have for certain things but the annoyance of constantly replacing broken side shields and fogging is gone. I don't mind them and can still use them, I just never find the need to.