A headband mounted video camera and light makes it possible to capture the surgeon's view of the procedure on video. This technique requires the surgeon to maintain steady fixation on the operation site not only with his/her eyes, but with the head in order to maintain a steady picture. Some movement of the head while maintaining fixation with the eyes is natural. In contrast, holding the head perfectly still to maintain fixation for the camera is unnatural, but it can be done with practice. If the surgeon moves his/her head while maintaining fixation with only his/her eyes on the operative site, then the video is essentially useless.
Zeis loupes are in a class by themselves! There may be no valid comparison to the next best loupes except in the price.
Some miscellaneous comments about magnification for strabismus surgery.
* Movement of surgeon's hands have the illusion of being speeded up.
* The "environment" moves faster than normal when the surgeon moves his/her head.
* To assume "normal" speed the surgeon moves his/her hands slower.
* The surgeon should keep eyes on the field when using loupes. The scrub nurse should be relied upon to hand instruments. - This takes practice, discipline and an experienced scrub nurse.
* To become comfortable with the use of loupes, practice is essential. Practicing suture placement is a good way to get experience with loupes, but anything done with loupes and requiring eye - hand coordination such as building a model could be useful.
* Distance correction should be worn with loupes.
* The surgeon's head movement is restricted when wearing loupes and looking away from the field means looking around the loupes.
* Loupe magnification can be (is) addictive - once you get used to the magnification, it is hard to operate without them.
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Operation Microscope:
A headband mounted light is a very useful adjunct to loupe magnification in that it improves the view when working in a "hole" and in cases where the surgeon's or the assistant's head blocks the fixed operating lights.
Spectacle mounted loupes are the most popular. They should include distance correction and may have a small bifocal add.
Head band mounted loupes may be used while the surgeon wears spectacles. They may also be used by several different surgeons. Most surgeons who use loupes purchase the spectacle mounted type.