Portable ophthalmic microscopes in the Philippines: an overview.
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.
Tan
Anna
A
Cataract Foundation Philippines, Bacolod City, Philippines. anna_tan@hotmail.com
Fraser
Clay
C
Staples
Brian
B
Mesurier
Richard L
RL
Newland
Henry
H
D002387:Cataract Extraction / Q000295:instrumentation*; D003906:Developing Countries; D004868:Equipment Failure; D019544:Equipment Failure Analysis / Q000379:methods*; D004869:Equipment Safety; D004864:Equipment and Supplies; D006801:Humans; D008283:Maintenance / Q000379:methods*; D008853:Microscopy / Q000295:instrumentation*; D009885:Ophthalmology / Q000295:instrumentation*; D010679:Philippines; D011786:Quality Control