Modern laboratory biology is to a large degree a science of the small. Many important operations are, of course, microscopic, but many take place in the “almost-microscopic” domain. For operations in that domain – dissections, probe construction, etc. – an eyepiece-less stereo microscope can be a very valuable tool. Unfortunately, traditional stereo microscopes are not ergonomically designed and frequently cause eye, neck and back strain which can lead to fatigue, blurred vision, headaches, and pain in virtually any part of your body. These problems are compounded by the tension created when forced to position your eyes against the eyepieces and maintain the same exact perspective for prolonged periods of time, all the while knowing that the three-dimensionality will be lost and you’ll have to start over if you don’t. Positioning your body in alignment with the microscope can help considerably, but even with optimal positioning, eye, neck, and back strain are still common problems that users endure.

Many researchers have to deal with the strain and pain caused by their traditional stereo microscope for hours at a time, day after day. Fortunately, there’s a simple solution to this problem for anyone still using stereo microscopes with eyepieces. People who suffer from these problems, or anticipate them, will find that an eyepiece-less stereo microscope can greatly reduce or eliminate the strains they can cause.

Unlike stereo microscope models with eyepieces, which deliver the left and right image paths to two separate eyepieces, the eyepiece-less design delivers both paths to an integrated screen in a way that allows the user to vary distance and angular position by a substantial amount without losing the three-dimensionality of the image. The added viewing angles made possible by the eyepiece-less stereo microscope design make them ergonomically superior to their fixed eyepiece counterparts. Users are able move more freely and frequently, and adopt neck and shoulder positions that are more natural which reduces the strain on their eyes, neck and back. The more natural posture and the increase in movement not only reduces the incidence of strain-related problems but also reduces fatigue, and, in doing so, increase productivity and accuracy.

Eyepiece-less dissecting microscopes can also connect with an external high resolution monitor to provide even further ergonomic advantages to the user. With or without the addition of an external monitor, the added comfort and freedom of movement allowed by the eyepiece-less design will not only improve your quality of work but your quality of life as well.