Visual Perception and Acuity of Hand Surgeons Using Loupes

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Surgical Sciences
• Ergonomics

Background:

• Magnified near vision is critical for hand surgeons.
• Individual visual performance varies significantly.
• The effectiveness of different loupes and age-related changes are important considerations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the visual performance of Swiss hand surgeons in a simulated workplace.
• To assess the impact of Galilean and Keplerian loupes on visual acuity.
• To determine the influence of surgeon age and self-assessment accuracy.

Main Methods:

• Sixty-three hand surgeons (29-68 years) were studied using 70 loupes (35 Galilean, 35 Keplerian).
• Visual performance was self-assessed and objectively measured using miniaturized visual tests.
• Surgeons were grouped by age (<40 and ≥40 years) to analyze age-related differences.

Main Results:

• A weak correlation (Spearman's ρ = 0.25) was found between self-assessment and objective visual performance.
• Near visual acuity varied by up to 300% among surgeons.
• Older surgeons (≥40 years) demonstrated significantly lower visual acuity than younger surgeons, irrespective of loupe type.

Conclusions:

• Individual variability in magnified near vision is substantial among hand surgeons.
• Self-assessment is unreliable for estimating surgeons' near visual capabilities.
• Hand surgeons over 40 should consider using higher magnification loupes, such as Keplerian types, to optimize visual acuity.