Loupe glassesPrint

Loupe glasses with the “bend in the optics” protect against tense neck muscles and back pain

What do a dentist, surgeon, precision mechanic and watchmaker have in common? Easy: All of them often have to see extremely fine details to obtain perfect work results. The problem: They often assume a detrimental body posture to do so, leaning the head and/or upper body far forward. Over time, this constrained posture invariably leads to pronounced tension of the neck muscles and ultimately also to back pain.

The head is heavy

Do you perform precision tasks that cause you to lean forward while working? Are you already using loupe glasses in your work? If so, you have a small advantage in your body posture compared to those who don’t. However, it’s still a real challenge for your body. Even normal loupe glasses do not entirely prevent your head from leaning forward. The average angle is about 45 degrees. Since the head is heavy (about 5 kilograms on average), leaning forward increases the load on your muscles to about 22 kilograms. That corresponds to the weight of a packed suitcase when you go on holiday. The consequences: Tense muscles and back pain. Especially when this posture is assumed for hours, let alone for the entire workday. Ergonomic loupe glasses provide relief.

Sophisticated solution with a big effect: Loupe glasses with a bend

The biggest challenge in designing ergonomic loupe glasses is to achieve a better body postures. Reducing the forward tilt can minimise the strain.

Loupe glasses that redirect the line of vision are one solution to this problem. The crucial benefit: When you wear loupe glasses with this design, you can hold your head close to level – quasi looking straight ahead. You neither have to lean forward nor bend your body, yet you have an optimal view of the work area. While you look straight ahead and stay relaxed, a special structure with what is called a Kepler’s system redirects your vision to the work area below you. For optimal vision, choosing between different magnification levels has to be possible as well.
This reduces the physical strain to a minimum. One-sided loads on the musculature and intervertebral discs in the cervical and thoracic spine are largely avoided as well.

For relaxed vision and a good view

The loupe glasses have to compensate for differences in eyesight. This allows you to maintain a good overview of all your instruments and your work environment.

When you look through the loupe glasses, your eye muscle (ciliary muscle) should stay relaxed as though you were looking into the distance. This is more comfortable and less strenuous for the eyes, since they do not have to adjust to different viewing distances (no accommodation).

Optimal loupe glasses support the largest possible working distance. That supports an upright body posture. They also have to cover a relatively large work area and, last but not least, provide exact colour rendering.

Helpful tips for application

Make sure your loupe glasses are as light as possible, not only to prevent bothersome pressure points on the bridge of the nose but also to minimise muscle strain. Even a few grams make a difference here.

Wireless lighting is also advantageous. It provides a good overview, even in case of poor visibility, and ensures that even the smallest details are easily recognisable. Not least, ergonomic loupe glasses like any good glasses must be individually adaptable to the wearer.

Checklist

• Loupe glasses are intended to magnify the work area. This magnification has to be adjustable so the wearer can select it according to the work task.
• Tilting the head forward, let alone the upper body, has to be prevented as far as possible by ergonomic loupe glasses. This minimises the strain on the musculature and intervertebral discs in the cervical spine, preventing tense muscles and pain.
• The eyes have to stay relaxed. Whether you are looking through the lenses or the loupe glasses, the eyes or, more precisely, the ciliary muscles should be relaxed as though you were looking into the distance. Thus the eyes do not have to adjust to close-up vision when you look through the loupe glasses (accommodation).
• Naturally the glasses must be adjustable to the wearer. That applies to the frame, the lenses and the working distance required for a healthy body posture.
• The loupe glasses have to ensure exact reproduction of a relatively large work area with precise colour rendering. A lighting system that ensures optimal illumination of the work area can provide additional support here.

Minimum requirements

• Multiple magnification
• Relaxed distance vision
• Close-up vision without accommodation
• Neutral head position while working
• Great depth of focus (working distance)
• Large work area
• Colour fidelity and high rendering quality
• Optimal coordination of magnification and working distance
• As light as possible
• Individually adaptable frame
• Compatible with lighting system

Products in this sector with the AGR seal of approval

• Ergo

Manufacturer

Bajohr OPTECmed GmbH
Hansestr. 6
37574 Einbeck
Tel. 05561/319 999 0
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
www.lupenbrillen.de/en