using a microscope

[barasch]

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Hi.

At the risk of opening myself for ridicule on the internet, did anyone here have trouble using microscopes? We haven't used the 'scope much in the first few years of school. I'm interested in pathology, but have a tough time with the 'scope. I used one of those shared scoped with a cytology fellow and he had mad skills, but I can never see much or get the thing focused properly.

anyone have a story about overcoming 'scope terror to before, during, or after residency?

If you feel it's necessary to mock this post or myself, please do so in this forum rather than coming to my school or home.

Thanks,
Sam

 

[exmissionary]

My eyelashes get in the way.

 

[Dr. McDreamy]

I'm thinking pretty seriously about path too and I also have some issues with the microscope. I can never seem to get the damn eye pieces the correct distance apart. Every time my head moves a couple millimeters my vision gets obscured in one eye or the other by the edge of the oculars. It drives me nuts! Do you get used to this so you don't even notice it anymore?

 

[MirkoCrocop]

To begin to truly understand the microscope, you must become one with the microscope. And by this, I mean one should try and create skin-tight seals between one's eyes and the microscope eye pieces.

 

[yaah]

I think everybody has some trouble when they first use microscopes. Problem is for many people the time you start getting used to microscopes is getting later and later, if it happens at all. I learned in histology class in M1 year, then we had path M2. Now it's virtual slides at many places. But you do get used to it. Just keep practicing, your body will adjust and learn. But the best way to do it is to drive the slide yourself so you get used to it - sitting at a double head scope while an experienced person moves it around is much harder to get used to.