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Otoscope/ Ophthalmoscope


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My school is requiring us to purchase an otoscope/ ophthalmoscope. They recommend the Welch Allyn 3.5V diagnostic set, but I'm trying to find something hopefully cheaper.  I am completely ignorant when it comes to otoscopes/ ophthalmoscopes, so have some basic (probably really stupid questions) I'm hoping people can help me out with!   

 

Can all otoscopes convert to ophthalmoscopes with a different head? 

 

The one the school recommends comes with macro view otoscope, panoptic and coaxial ophthalmoscope heads, and we are required to purchase an insufflator bulb.  Should any otoscope/ ophthalmoscope be able to do the procedures needed with those heads, assuming I buy the right attachments?  Are insuffalator bulbs brand specific/ need to be matched with the ophthalmoscope?   

 

Finally, any recommendations of specific ones to buy? 

 

Thanks in advance!  

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They recommended welch allyn for us too. It is an overkill. Just get something cheap off amazon under $100 and save your money. If you REALLY need welch allyn after you get your first job, you can get it while actually making real money. Now is not the time. 

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They recommended welch allyn for us too. It is an overkill. Just get something cheap off amazon under $100 and save your money. If you REALLY need welch allyn after you get your first job, you can get it while actually making real money. Now is not the time.

So just to clarify, the otoscope and ophthalmoscope are 2 completely separate tools, correct? Is there one in particular you'd recommend violetsnow?

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The ophthalmoscope and otoscope are generally two different heads that fit on a common handle which houses the battery pack.

 

For a long time I used to buy cheap crap. You get what you pay for. Buy once, cry once. I bought Welch Allyn in school. The stuff is tough enough to drive nails and I use it at least monthly.

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  • 1 year later...

Was wondering if the macro view is required? Seems like whenever I put this feature in, the price pretty drastically bumps. I was looking at the Riester Ri-Mini, but the school says pocket sizes are NOT recommended. Can anyone help me out with a good cost effective solution? I'm a bit uneducated on the subject. Attached below is the recommendation they sent.

 

 

http://imgur.com/PGFXBEx

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  • 2 weeks later...
  • 6 months later...

Buy used on Amazon or eBay. They hold their value pretty well so you should be able to sell it when you graduate for about the same amount in the same venue or to an incoming student. 

Most built in otoscope/ophthalmoscopes that you will see in clinic and hospitals are the Welch Allyn, so it doesn't hurt to get used to it. 

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