Ergonomic Microscopes | Tilting Microscope Head

Using a microscope on a daily basis can be very demanding on the human body.  It requires consistent, proper positioning of the head as well as hours of concentration and focused viewing through the eyepieces.  This can strain the operator’s eyes, neck, shoulders and back and result in severe headaches, neckaches and lead to more serious problems over time, if the problem is not addressed.

Fortunately, there are steps you can take to reduce the strain to your body and minimize discomfort:

1. Create an ergonomic microscope workstation. The objective is fairly simple:  make the viewing height and angle adjustable for each individual microscope user to achieve a comfortable viewing position regardless of the person’s size.   There are different ways to achieve this.  You can utilize adjustable tables and chairs so that operators can sit in a relaxed, upright position without having to stretch to view a sample.  A lumbar support will reduce stress on the spine.  Adjustable arm rests will ensure that arms are relaxed and foot rests will allow users that are smaller in stature to achieve an optimal sitting posture. 
2. Build additional flexibility into your workstation with ergonomic accessories, specifically designed to make the position of the microscope eyepieces adaptable to multiple users. For example, extended eyetubes promote an upright sitting position by bridging the gap between the microscope and the users’ eyes. This is especially important for tall users. You can also bring the eyepieces of the microscope closer to the operator by inserting a wedge below the eyepieces. This promotes an upright position, no matter how tall the microscope user is.  For the greatest flexibility utilize an ergo tilting head, which allows incremental changes in viewing position.  With a tilting head, you can adjust your viewing position throughout the day as you change your sitting position or chair height.
3. Another way to reduce strain is to utilize an HD camera and screen. This will reduce the time spent in one position, looking through the eyepieces.
4. Be sure to schedule breaks throughout the workday to allow your eyes, neck and back muscles to rest.

Remember, the main goal is to make the workstation adaptable to each user, allowing them to work effectively and efficiently in comfort. Contact us at 800-219-1451 find out more about ergonomic accessories.