Back to university!

September. It’s finally here, we are returning to some degree of normality as university starts once again and we eagerly wait to start clinics. With CANCELLED equipment fairs students have lost a critical time to meet different companies to find what works for them. My next few posts are designed to inform and help first, second and third year students as well as pre-reg optometrists make a more complete decision on this career-long investment!

It’s now time to jump into second year where the grind really starts. In your optometry tool kit you’ll need to have a few things*:

What do I need?

• Direct Opthalmoscope

• Retinoscope

• Romanes Occluder

• Budgie/Fixation Stick

• Pentorch

• Trial Frame

• City Rule

You may also decide to get a few other pieces for you to exclusively practice with such as:

• Condensing Lens (e.g. Volk, Hruby)

• Cross Cylinders

• Confirmation Lenses (Aka Flippers)

• Confrontation Stick/Perimetry Tool

• PD Rule

*check with your university on specific timescales and lists.

The two most expensive pieces in your kit are your ophthalmoscope and retinoscope. The former uses a bright light with neutralising lenses to view and assess the anterior/posterior eye. Whilst the latter objectively determines a patient’s refractive status by shining a streak of light and viewing the retinoscopic reflex as it reflects backwards.

A popular choice that should be considered is the Heine LED Ophthalmic Student Set.

But who are HEINE?

Heine have been one of the lead suppliers of medical equipment across a whole host of medical and allied health professions but what you may not know is that they are family owned German brand. This specific feature puts them into a unique position to procure the highest quality materials and quality assure their products to ensure only the best craftsmanship goes into the production of your optical equipment. Heine now have the major market share in the US, Germany, Nordics, Italy and France. They have proven to be a popular choice in the UK for Optometrists.

Heine Beta 200 Retinoscope

What do I get in the Heine student set?

Contents:

• BETA 200 S LED Ophthalmoscope

• BETA 200 LED Retinoscope

• BETA 4 NT Rechargeable Handle

• NT 4 Table Charger

• Mini-c Cliplamp with handle

• Fixation Bar (Budgie Stick)

• Romanes Occluder

• Fixation Cards with holder for dynamic retinoscopy

• PD-Check

• Two handle case

• Cleaning Cloth

How I found using Heine:

I had the opportunity to use the Heine Ophthalmoscope within my first week at university and found it to be incredibly easy to adapt to. After speaking to my peers we found the ergonomic design of the metal cased handle, lightweight nature and wider sighthole made it a more natural feel. So much so that it was a common choice for students to use for their first practical assessment.

Portability- The kit as a whole is superbly portable and can fit into your bag to clinics. The retinoscope and opthalmoscope are swiftly assembled.

Usability- Opthalmoscope is smooth to use with a range of 7 filters and 27 focusing lenses. Retinoscope has a polarisation filter to reduce stray light to get those crisp retinoscopic reflexes.

Charging- Table charger unit for straightforward charging. 50,000 hours!

When assessing the ocular media and fundus I was able to see a true image colour due to the high quality LED’s and most crucially did not lose focus due to the single step dioptre power wheel. When carrying out retinoscopy you can use a spot/streak, I found the streak the best to use to accurately refine the axis of cylinder correction – some older ophthalmic instruments are spot only so don’t let that put you off.

Within the set you receive a very high quality transilluminator (pen torch) which feels superior in quality to standard ones you can buy elsewhere. Furthermore you receive a PD rule which is invaluable when in final year public clinics or during your pre-reg when dispensing, this is something you don’t receive in other student sets. These additional extras tick off some of those other things you need to get in your toolkit.

Heine Beta 200 Ophthalmoscope

Details

• Adjustable brightness

• Good size for diagnostic use.

• Dust proof

• LED HQ Illumination

• Rechargeable handle

• Versatile use by the adjustment of illumination,magnification for the Opthalmoscope.

• Retinoscope has a bright precise light band.

• Filters: Small, Large, Fixation Star, Slit, Hemispot, Cobalt Blue and Red Free.
  

Quick Summary:

1. 10 YEAR WARRANTY! So be rest assured that if you do have any problems they will be taken care of – even accidental while you're a student!

2. Long lasting charge. With LED’s lasting up to 50,000 hours.

3. Free name engraving.

4. Lightweight and high grade LED and materials.

5. Retinoscope Parastop (minimises astigmatic errors).

Where can I buy one?

The best way for you to purchase your Heine Student Set is to follow the link here.

Thanks to our partnership with Heine you can receive £100 OFF your purchase from any one of the three sets using code HEINE100.

Before you choose to purchase your equipment I highly recommend trying all the different brands and types at your university, speak to those in above year groups to find what works best for you.

It is also worth doing your research to make sure you are happy with the whole package, sometimes you are able to obtain special student deals. This goes for not only your retinoscope and ophthalmoscopes but for all your optical equipment such as your trial frame.