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O P H T H A L M O L O G Y
microscope. It's helpful to have a small footprint of the base and long
arm reach, both of which limit intrusion into the surgical field and the
area near the surgeon's feet. Likewise, a wireless, rechargeable, waterproof foot control pad that incorporates the on-off switch, dimming
switch, focus control and magnification control allows for hands-free
adjustment and prevents excess wires from hindering the foot controls of other instruments. A small base footprint also lets OR staff
quickly move the microscope between cases. The same is true of electromagnetic brakes that engage with the push of a button, as opposed
to mechanical brakes that have to be manipulated individually. To
help with sterility and prevent tangling with other equipment during
setup and positioning, all cables should be internalized within the support housing. Bulbs should be easily accessible and easy to replace,
and the microscope should either automatically switch to a back-up
bulb during surgery or let you make the change with a simple hand
switch.
Correct settings are paramount for efficient and accurate operation.
For the staff, parameters such as pupillary distance, initial magnification, speed of both focus and magnification and focus point should be
programmable and preset so the microscope can be reset quickly
between cases or surgeons.
The binocular head of the microscope should have a free range of
positions to provide for an ergonomic sitting position. Individualized,
programmable head positioning presets help staff prepare the scope
for each surgeon. The head should also contain manual overrides with
sterile covers to allow you to change the parameters, microscope
position or angle during the case.
Ergonomics is also crucial for the surgical assistant. Incorporating a
rotating beam splitter lets the surgical technician have a stereoscopic
view through the assistant scope, allowing for greater dexterity and effi1 1 2
O U T PAT I E N T S U R G E R Y M A G A Z I N E O N L I N E | N O V E M B E R 2013
