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Published on: July 6, 2017
Portable ophthalmic microscopes in the Philippines: an overview
Anna Tan1, Clay Fraser, Brian Staples
1Cataract Foundation Philippines, Bacolod City, Philippines. anna_tan@hotmail.com
Background:
Demonstrations were held all over the Philippines to teach local microscope operators basic maintenance skills and troubleshooting for their portable microscopes.
Methods:
Fifteen microscopes were examined and feedback was obtained from 16 microscope operators. The different parameters of the microscope were evaluated as follows: (i) user-friendliness, (ii) demand and availability of technical services and spare parts, (iii) portability and (iv) frequent problems encountered. Some suggestions for improvement are proposed.
Results:
There was a general satisfaction among the operators with their microscopes; however, there was a lack of technical support services. Most microscopes were portable and the original casing was adequate for transport. Even though most microscopes were functioning, their quality could be improved with maintenance. The three most common problems identified were: mouldy/dirty lenses, expired mould pellets and poor alignment.
Conclusions:
The portable operating ophthalmic microscope has an important role in the prevention of international blindness. The archaic attitude of sending microscopes to professional technicians for simple maintenance and repair should be abandoned. Instead demonstrations aimed at teaching these skills to local operators and surgeons should be held, in order to improve the technical support available. Different microscope operators can help provide microscope designers with feedback for future improvements. Similar demonstrations could be considered for other countries with a similar scarcity of technical support services.
Insights
Local microscope operators in the Philippines received training on basic maintenance and troubleshooting for portable ophthalmic microscopes. This initiative aims to improve technical support and address common issues like dirty lenses and poor alignment.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Biomedical Engineering
- Medical Device Maintenance
Background:
- Training demonstrations were conducted across the Philippines for local microscope operators.
- The focus was on imparting essential maintenance and troubleshooting skills for portable microscopes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the user-friendliness, technical support availability, and common issues with portable microscopes.
- To propose improvements based on operator feedback and technical evaluations.
Main Methods:
- Evaluation of 15 microscopes and feedback collection from 16 microscope operators.
- Assessment of parameters including user-friendliness, technical service demand, spare parts availability, portability, and frequent problems.
- Development of suggestions for enhancing microscope functionality and support.
Main Results:
- Operators expressed general satisfaction with the microscopes, but noted a significant lack of technical support services.
- Most microscopes were found to be portable with adequate original casing for transport.
- Common problems included mouldy/dirty lenses, expired mould pellets, and poor alignment, indicating a need for regular maintenance.
Conclusions:
- Portable operating ophthalmic microscopes are crucial for preventing international blindness.
- Training local operators in basic maintenance and repair is more effective than relying on distant technicians.
- Operator feedback can guide future microscope design improvements, and similar training programs could benefit other regions with limited technical support.
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