Perfect clarity - choosing and using magnifying lamps correctly

Working professionally on the foot requires a clear and detailed view of the skin. A well-chosen magnifying lamp makes it easier to see abnormalities, enables precise working and relieves the strain on your eyes - preserving their health for your future.

Which lamp is right for me? What criteria can I use as a guide?

Before delving into technical details and different models, you should answer some fundamental questions:

Fixed or mobile use?

A fixed magnifying lamp should be robust and durable, adapting to the room's situation during installation. For mobile work, choose a lightweight and compact magnifying lamp. In any case, it should match your height. The flexibility of the arm also matters as it enables ergonomic work, even on the go. At RUCK, you can find magnifying lamps with arm lengths ranging from 30 to 70 cm and various weights.

What light colour do I need?

Warm white, neutral white, or cool white? Depending on the light colour, different details on the illuminated skin come to the fore. For most applications in podiatry, a neutral white colour temperature of around 4,000 K (Kelvin) is the best choice. Warm white light highlights the skin's surface structure well, while cool white light (about 5,300 K) makes blood vessels more visible.

What type of light bulb should I use?

PODOLOG and Waldmann magnifying lamps use flicker-free, energy-saving LED bulbs. They last up to 50,000 operating hours, equivalent to a usage period of 20 years. With dimmable lamps, you can adjust the light intensity to the room's lighting conditions and the treatment situation. Simple models have four dimming levels, top models like the PODOLOG CIRCLE XL professional have continuous dimming.

High-quality manufacture is a must!

Tension springs and joints are integrated into the structure of a magnifying lamp to ensure optimal mobility and stability. Magnifying lamps must reliably handle thousands of movements and should have undergone appropriate long-term tests. For the magnifying lenses, you can choose between plastic and glass lenses. Plastic is lighter and more suitable for mobile use, but it is more susceptible to scratches and chemicals. Glass is more durable but heavier, making it the right choice for fixed use. Regardless of the model you choose, PODOLOG and Waldmann magnifying lamps are – unlike almost all competitor products – manufactured in Germany. This is also advantageous when you need service or spare parts.

What to consider when making a purchase

• Illuminance (Lux)
  The illuminance (unit: Lux) defines how much light falls on a specific area. It is one Lux when the luminous flux of one lumen illuminates one square meter of area evenly.
  
  
• Light colour (Kelvin)
  The light from any light source has a characteristic colour, known as light colour. It is described by the colour temperature (unit: Kelvin). The higher the value, the cooler the light colour. "Neutral white" falls in the range between 3,300 and 5,300 Kelvin.
  
  
• Colour rendering (Ra)
  The colour rendering of a lamp describes how natural an object or a face appears in the light. The general colour rendering index Ra was developed to describe colour rendering qualities. The best value is 100 – it accurately represents all colours. The lower the value, the poorer the colour rendering.
  
  
• Magnification power (diopters)
  The more delicate your work on the foot, the higher the magnification of your magnifying lamp's lens should be. The degree of magnification is indicated in diopters (diopters). For instance, three diopters magnify by a factor of 1.75. With increasing diopters, the focal length decreases, i.e. the distance to the foot and the observable area become smaller. In the podiatric field, diopters between 3.5 and 6 are common.
  
  In general, the following values are recommended for lighting in podiatry:
  Illuminance: 5,000 - 6,000 Lux (at a working distance of 15 cm)
  Light colour: 4,000 Kelvin (neutral white)
  Colour rendering: Ra = 80 - 90
  Magnification power: 3.5 - 6 diopters
  
  Tip: Also work without the magnifier
  For the sake of your eyes, you should not exclusively look through the magnifying lamp during work. The lens distortion and artificial light strain the eyes in the long run.

Tips for correct usage

Where to mount for ergonomic work?

For optimal illumination of your work area, it is advisable to mount the magnifying lamp diagonally to the podiatry drill. For example, right-handed individuals can mount the lamp at the back left of the work cabinet to be able to reach it from above. The maximum action radius describes the length from the joint to the outer edge of the magnifying lens and provides you with relevant guidance. To flexibly design your workspace according to the treatment situation, the lamp head should be ready from the first to the third reach zones. The magnifying lamp must evenly and precisely illuminate the work area. The exact adjustment of the position should be easy, and the lamp should remain stable in the end position.

What accessories do I need for installation?

From table clamps to mounting brackets for cabinet or wall mounting, you can find everything you need at RUCK. Information about the connection to your piece of furniture and its suitability is also available online. Our consultants will be happy to advise you. The online configurator also provides assistance. Many accessory details are automatically adjusted to your choice of lamps and furniture.

Pay attention to gentle disinfection!

Magnifying lenses – whether glass or plastic – are sensitive. Clean them with a mild, alcohol-free disinfectant using a wiping motion.
Caution: Aggressive cleaners can damage plastic lenses.

We are here for you and happy to advise!

RUCK UK Consulting
E-mail contact@hellmut-ruck.uk