J Am Dent Assoc. 2018 Nov 29. pii: S0002-8177(18)30684-6. doi: 10.1016/j.adaj.2018.09.022. [Epub ahead of print]
Abstract
BACKGROUND:
Surgical
loupes have been increasingly popular among dental professionals for
their visual and postural benefits. However, dental professionals will
receive the full benefit of surgical loupes only if the loupes are
adjusted fully to fit the individual needs of each clinician. In this
study, the authors examine coaxial alignment of surgical loupes, a
critical criterion for the proper adjustment of these optical systems.
METHODS:
The
authors conducted an in-person survey by using a simple, quantitative
visual tool to assess the coaxial alignment of surgical loupes among 97
dental professionals in British Columbia, Canada.
RESULTS:
Findings
indicated that 82% of dental professionals surveyed experienced coaxial
misalignment with their surgical loupes. Dental professionals wearing
front-lens-mounted (flip-up) surgical loupes with full vertical
adjustability, front-lens-mounted surgical loupes with limited vertical
adjustability, and through-the-lens surgical loupes were equally likely
to be practicing with coaxial misalignment of their surgical loupes.
Front-lens-mounted surgical loupes with full vertical adjustability were
the only type of surgical loupe that can be adjusted to achieve full
coaxial alignment reliably (P < .05).
CONCLUSIONS:
There
was a high prevalence of coaxial misalignment among dental
professionals in this cohort. Not all surgical loupes on the market
satisfy the criteria for optimal postural and visual support of
clinicians.
PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS:
The visual tool
developed in this study enabled dental professionals to identify coaxial
misalignment effectively and efficiently. Findings from this study will
assist dental professionals in making informed decisions when choosing
their magnification equipment and prompt surgical loupe manufacturers to
develop more evidence-based products
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