10 Features to Consider When Buying Surgical Loupes for Your Operating Theater

Surgical eye loupes – the small magnifiers mounted within lenses of glasses – can be a tremendous benefit to your surgical team, particularly during complicated or lengthy procedures that require precise attention to detail. When chosen and calibrated correctly, surgical loupes become an essential extension of a surgical team without causing distractions or interfering with the task at hand. Overall, magnification loupes can prevent your surgical team from working in crouched, uncomfortable positions that eventually may lead to chronic pain in both the neck and lower back.

10 Features to Consider When Buying Surgical Loupes

1. Magnification Level

2. Working Distance

3. Weight

4. Design

5. Adjustment Settings

6. Lighting Capabilities

7. Prescription Needs

8. Warranty and Repairs

9. Types of Procedures Performed

10. Pricing

Surgical magnifying loupes offer a portable, practical and economical way to provide magnification for your team during complex procedures. Below are a few qualities to keep in mind as you research which  surgical loupes are right for your team.

1. Magnification Level

Having the right magnification strength allows your team to work from an optimal distance that provides ergonomic balance. This will help reduce eye strain, neck, shoulder and back tension, and even headaches related to poor ergonomics. The right magnification will allow your team to see the surgical site clearly and closely, thus enhancing both precision and accuracy. Typically, surgical loupe magnification strength is driven by personal preference, so allow your team plenty of opportunities to try various strengths and sizes before making your final order. The lowest comfortable magnification setting will result in the widest field of view. Anyone who is starting with a surgical loupe for the first time should go with the lowest possible magnification level in order to make the process of adjusting to the loupe more seamless.

As a general rule, the magnification of 2.5 to 3.5 is appropriate for most microsurgical procedures – however, for intricate procedures, especially those involving tendon and blood vessel repair, magnification levels of 4.5 and 5.5 can be more helpful and provide higher precision. Magnifications above 6.0 generally are not recommended – at this level, the user is better served by a surgical microscope.

Seiler Instrument is leading manufacturer specializing in high precision machining and optical instruments. Seiler Instrument produces medical instruments, microscopes, and Zeiss Planetarium equipment that is used all over the world. Seiler Instrument provides the following guidelines for surgical loupe magnification.

2.5X: The entry level magnification that provides a wide field of view, which is

exceptionally easy to get used to and is the most common magnification bought. Typical working distance: 13.4" (340mm)

3.0X: The intermediate magnification level of which is good for a user that is familiar with loupes or has a need for additional magnification not provided by the 2.5x power. Typical working distance: 16.5" (420mm)

3.5X: More powerful than teh 3.0X surgical loupe, this magnification level is used for specialists and users that have a smaller working field. The long working distance is generally used by a tall person. Typical working distance: 19.7" (500mm)

2. Working Distance

The right magnification also can help your team set a comfortable working distance – the distance between the eyes and the actual procedure site. In an optimal working environment, the back should be straight, and the surgeon should not have to lean forward in order to get a clear view of the surgical site. Proper distance is critical – the wrong working distance can result in poor posture, which eventually leads to fatigue and back pain, and eye strain.

Magnification also will help define the field of view – the area that is visibly in focus through the loupe. Your team will want as large a field of view as possible, which results in less need to move the head to get a clear view of the work area.

One of the greatest benefits of working with surgical loupes is the ergonomic improvement. While your team engages in close, detail-oriented work, they can do so while remaining in a healthy and comfortable posture. When used correctly, surgical loupes can allow your team to work without bending forward or holding unnatural positions for extended periods of time. Ergonomic factors such as neck tilt, optimal patient positioning, pelvic tilt, eye tilt, elbow angulation, and knee angulation can be supported by a high-quality surgical loupe with the right working distance. A loupe specialist can also help guide you through this process, especially if he or she also has been fully trained in ergonomics.

3. Weight

Magnifying surgical loupes must be worn comfortably for long periods of time. Your team may be in a position where they need to wear surgical loupes for lengthy, involved procedures-- so the more lightweight they are, the more comfortable your team can remain while wearing them. Lighter loupes reduce tension and other related complications as well. Make sure to carefully test the frames; a high-quality frame will distribute weight evenly around the bridge of the nose and the user's ears.

4. Design

Surgical eye loupes come in two key designs: through-the-lens (TTL) and flip-up. The optics of the TTL version is built into the lens of the frame, while the optics of the flip-up loupe are attached to an adjustable mechanism that allows the user to manually flip out the loupe when not in use. TTL versions are typically more comfortable, driving higher performance and ease of working. The highest-quality TTL versions can be designed specifically to fit the user's facial dimensions, prescription needs, and personalized magnification. Conversely, flip-up versions are more off-the-shelf. Non-prescription loupes do offer the benefit of being able to be shared among users, and they are also easily adjustable while allowing for declination changes.

Magnifications of up to 2.8 are most often manufactured using a Galilean design, which features a set of two lenses: the concave eyepiece lens and the convex objective lens. This version is lightweight, offering seamless adaptability, a generous width of field, and superior depth of field. Higher magnifications ranging from 3.5-6.0 can be manufactured according to either Galilean or Keplerian design, which feature two or more positive convex lenses.

Many users consider the Galilean version superior because of its easy adaptation, minimal weight, color delineation, and short barrel. However, for higher magnifications, Kepler versions are often preferred. If your team prefers the Kepler design, make sure to invest in premium quality. Lower-quality Kepler loupes will seem heavy and tend to offer a narrow width of field. In addition, the barrel may be high, which places more weight directly on the nose. They also tend to be prone to shadowing.

Some surgical loupes use sport frame that provides the medical team with additional eye protection from splash back and debris. 

5. Adjustment Settings

Settings like inter-pupillary distance, width, and depth of field are key when viewing a surgical area through a magnification loupe. While field depth determines the distance that the user can lean in or out and remain in focus, field width specifies the overall size of the operating site. Working distances are important to consider – many loupes are designed for a specific working distance range that can ultimately be limiting for your team. Generally, the lower the magnification power, the wider the field of view and larger the depth of field. Loupe settings should be intuitive and stress-free for your team to adjust. Above all, please keep in mind that proper fitting and adjustment are essential to the successful use of surgical loupes. You may consider having custom surgical loupes designed for your surgeons based on these considerations.

6. Lighting Capabilities

Your surgical loupes and your operating room lighting must work in tandem. With higher magnification, additional illumination is imperative. We have physics to thank for this – with a narrow width of light entering the eye, the view will naturally appear darker. The higher the magnification, the less light can enter the eye, which raises the need for additional lighting.

For example, when using LED lighting, the user's pupils will naturally dilate, which reduces the depth of field when using a surgical loupe. In many cases, LED lighting is considered mandatory when using higher levels of magnification; in fact, many experts consider LED an imperative with any level of magnification.

Supplementary lights should be of appropriate intensity and color. Lights that are too bright will cause eye rods to shut down, offering no benefit, while lights that are too dim will not be able to keep up as magnification increases. Fortunately, new LED systems are now available that are extremely portable and less expensive than previous generations. Some lights are available as a headlight version, while others can connect directly to binocular surgical loupes. With this option, you must consider the weight of the light combined with the loupe for the overall comfort level of the user. You'll need to make decisions based on charging time, working time, and whether the light can work while charging in order to make the best surgical lighting purchases to accompany your surgical loupes.

7. Prescription Needs

You can choose surgical loupes with built-in prescription lenses – or a user can wear contact lenses while wearing a non-prescription loupe. If you choose to go the prescription route, you'll want to make sure your team has the opportunity to take updated eye exams prior to ordering any loupes, as changes in vision can be subtle and are often unnoticed. Custom surgical loupes are designed to work at various distances, and the manufacturing process must be guided by correct eyesight documentation. Here is an example of a surgical loupe that is designed for people that wear prescription glasses.

8. Warranty and Repairs

As with most surgical equipment that undergoes daily wear and tear, you'll want to consider warranty and repair considerations when making your purchase. Some brands may offer an inexpensive rechargeable battery, while others may require you to purchase a complete control unit. In addition, you may find some brands with repairable cables, but others may require complete lens replacements. Warranty programs vary widely among brands and products, so you'll want to make sure to research which is best for your team.

9. Types of Procedures Performed

Using surgical magnifying loupes in the areas of cardiology, plastic surgery, dentistry, neurosurgery, urology, pediatric surgery, oncology, and many others can make complex surgery more manageable for your surgical team. A key consideration is determining exactly how surgical magnifying loupes will be used within your practice. For example, are they for daily practice or for intricate procedures and surgeries that require significant focus and visual acuity? If your facility specializes in detailed and intricate surgeries, make sure your magnification levels are high enough. Take the time to audit your most typical procedures in order to make an informed purchasing decision.

10. Pricing

Make sure to do your research when it comes to surgical loupes prices. You can certainly find economical models, but many are major investments that can cost you hundreds or even into the thousands of dollars. Consider the specific needs and comfort levels of your team when determining factors that are most important. For example, through-the-lens (TTL) surgical loupes are typically more expensive than flip-up versions, but because they are lighter and feature a wider field of view, many users prefer – or even insist on – wearing them. Professional-grade surgical loupes from leading optic manufacturers will generally range from $500 - $900+.

Choosing the Best Surgical Loupes for Your Medical Team

Magnifying surgical loupes can be a significant investment in your medical facility or practice, helping your medical staff deliver precise patient care while protecting them from physical fatigue and even chronic pain. Before you buy surgical loupes, make sure to do your research – and know that the best choice often comes down to the personal comfort preferences of your team.

If you're still researching surgical loupes and would like some help, contact USA Medical and Surgical Supplies today. We have decades of experience researching and recommending medical supplies and equipment . If you have any questions about the best surgical loupes for your practice, give us a call toll-free at 1-866-561-2380, or send us an email.