Implant dentistry requires specific motor skills with intense and focused vision for several hours consecutively. However, the conditions and obstacles that we usually encounter in the oral cavity can add a considerable burden to our vision and limit our ability to perform at our best. This is one of the main reasons why loupes are the standard of care in dentistry.
As a clinical professor and dental hygienist, I have experienced firsthand the process of purchasing loupes. Style is often a key factor in the purchasing decision, along with magnification power, weight, and cost. But what about the headlight? The light is often overlooked and considered by many to be an optional accessory. Incorporating a light as a part of your investment is essential in order realize the full benefit of using magnification. Without proper lighting, we are simply magnifying darkness and straining our eyes.
The first pair of loupes I wore in my career were purchased for me by my boss, as it was a requirement to wear them to work in his office. My boss had an early realization of the critical role that loupes play in delivering “state of the art” patient care. Unfortunately, his focus on providing optimal care did more harm than good for me. The loupes that he had graciously purchased for me were not the correct size, shape, weight or working distance for my needs. I ended up with pain that I didn’t have previously and felt dizzy most of the day. I often worked with the telescope up and quickly formed the assumption that loupes were not for me.
Imagine working with a scratched patient mouth mirror. The scratches on the mirror prevent the clinician from easily evaluating the oral cavity. Therefore, the clinician’s eyes are left straining to identify the details needed to diagnose the patient. Like a scratched mirror, clinicians working without magnification are often left straining their eyes. Wearing loupes decreases the clinician’s eye strain and overall stress on the body.