Surgical and Dental Loupes

What is The Right Pair of Loupes For You?

Finding the right pair of dental or surgical loupes can be a difficult task since there are so many factors to consider. Every person's face is different and one pair may work excellent for one person and terribly for another.

The first factor to consider is the working distance that you feel comfortable working at. For example, a person who is 5'6" tall is going to have a shorter working distance than someone who is 6'6" tall. You need to find the optimal distance away from the patient you prefer to work at. Here is an example of how someone in the dental field would choose their working distance:

After finding a suitable ergonomic position, you simply take a tape measure and measure the distance between your eyes and the patient.

Loupe magnification is the next factor that must be considered. There is a wide variety when it comes to magnification level of your loupes, with levels ranging from 2.5x all the way up to 6.0x magnification for most standard surgical and dental loupes. When starting out with your first pair of loupes, it is typically suggested to start with a low magnification such as a 2.5x or 3.0x since adjusting to loupes is easier if the magnification is lower.

Field of view is another factor that should be considered when buying a pair of loupes. With lower magnification comes a larger field of view, making it easier to adjust to wearing loupes. Higher magnifications have a reduced field of view and are only suggested for those who have worn loupes in past and are confident with a smaller field of view.

Clip On Loupes For Those Who Already Wear Glasses

Clip-on loupes are the most cost-effective choice for those who already own a frame to attach them to, especially prescription eyeglasse wearers. Clip-on loupes offer the same level of magnification and quality as the traditional Galilean-style loupes, but with added flexibility. Clip-on loupes flip up just the same as the Galilean-style loupes so that the user can view an area without having to take the loupes off. Since every person's eye distance is different, the loupes come with an adjustable knob that changes the pupillary distance of the loupes with a simple turn.

Clip-on loupes can be the most flexible and effective solution for surgeons, dentists, and dental hygienists. They can be attached to virtually any type of eyeglasses. This flexibility makes this style of loupe very popular amongst prescription eyeglass wearers.