5 Signs That Will Tell You When Magnification Update Is Needed
Surgical loupes have been proven to provide many benefits to surgeons. Apart from improving your visual acuity, loupes also help enhance your working posture, making it possible for you to work more comfortably with less to no pain. But just like any other dental equipment, you also need to update your Schultz surgical loupes from time to time. But the question is that, how would you know when you need to update your magnification loupes?
Here are a few signs that tell you when an update is needed.
Change of prescription
You will need to visit an eye doctor at least once every two years or more often if you are wearing a prescription. It is important to keep your eyeglasses prescription up to date for optimal eye health. The same goes for your loupes.
If there are changes in your prescription and you have it added on your magnification loupes, you will need to have your loupes customized again to meet your prescription needs.
Changes in vision
The right level of magnification is essential not only for your eye health but also for your comfort and performance. When your loupes become less effective as they were a few months or years ago, it may be time for you to update the magnification power.
As a first time user, you will likely pick the lowest available magnification for surgical loupes as it has the largest viewing field and it is the easiest to get used to. When visiting an eye doctor for your regular check-up or prescription update, have your loupe magnification requirement also assessed.
Headaches
Though there are many potential causes of a headache, for surgeons visual problems like eye fatigue or eye strain are often seen as the most common trigger. A pair of surgical loupes with magnification lower than what is required, you may experience a headache.
Reduced visual acuity
Reduced visual acuity is a clear sign that you need to update your magnification loupes. As time goes by, your visual requirement will change. If you notice that the image you see when looking through the optical loupes is a bit unclear or blurry, you will likely need higher magnification power. The right magnification should provide an edge to edge clarity.
Musculoskeletal pain
Work-related musculoskeletal pains like back, shoulder, and neck pain can be a clear indicator of poor ergonomics. Poor visualization of the operating field usually forces the surgeon to bend forward and lean closer to the patient. Staying in such position all throughout the surgical operation can cause pain.
If you start feeling back, shoulder, or neck pain at the end of a surgical operation, have someone capture a photo of you while working. This way you will know if you have problems with your working posture. And if you do, have your magnification requirement assessed and updated.
It is important to update your magnification loupes when the need arises. Using the wrong magnification can cause muscle imbalance, visual strain, headache, neck stress, back fatigue, and other work-related musculoskeletal pains or injuries. It can likewise lead to less satisfactory performance, low comfort level, and unhealthy working posture. By being aware of the signs mentioned above, you can be able to know when is the need for you to change your loupes.