|
|
LETTER TO THE EDITOR |
|
Year : 2021 | Volume
: 69
| Issue : 4 | Page : 997-998 |
|
Slit-lamp mounted anti fogging fan
Sourav Damodaran, Sagnik Sen, Naresh Babu
Vitreoretina Services, Aravind Eye Hospital, Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India
Date of Web Publication | 16-Mar-2021 |
Correspondence Address: Dr. Sourav Damodaran Fellow,VR Services, Aravind Eye Hospital, Anna Nagar, Madurai 625 020, Tamil Nadu India
Source of Support: None, Conflict of Interest: None | Check |
DOI: 10.4103/ijo.IJO_2957_20
How to cite this article: Damodaran S, Sen S, Babu N. Slit-lamp mounted anti fogging fan. Indian J Ophthalmol 2021;69:997-8 |
Dear Editor,
Fogging of lenses during retinal laser procedures has been a problem dealt by ophthalmologists for a long time. This problem got aggravated since the advent of COVID-19 as patients started wearing masks for personal protection.[1] Lens fogging critically reduces the fundus view and hampers the efficiency of lasers [Figure 1]a. Lot of methods, such as using an antifog spray and making patients to wear antifog-band, have been used to curb this menace.[2] A fan with flow directed to the lens works well by removing the moisture/fogging. | Figure 1: (a) Misting on the lens surface due to patient breathing. (b) Motor with propeller and power cell. (c) Side view of the fan mounted on slit lamp. (d) Front view-fan does not obstruct the viewing pathway. (e) Laser performed with fan running. (f) De-misted lens surface
Click here to view |
Here we describe a fan that can help in reducing lens fogging by directed wind flow. The motor with the propeller is obtained from a mini drone. It is a 7-mm diameter, 16-mm length micro-coreless motor working on 3 V DC with 48,000 RPM [Figure 1]b. This motor is mounted along with a DC battery over the slit lamp on the front part of the viewing beam [Figure 1]c and [Figure 1]d. The fan is activated while the laser is being performed [Figure 1]e. It immediately clears of any water condensation occurring in the front part of the contact laser lens [Figure 1]f.
Financial support and sponsorship
Nil.
Conflicts of interest
There are no conflicts of interest.
References | | |
1. | Lawrentschuk N, Fleshner NE, Bolton DM. Laparoscopic lens fogging: A review of etiology and methods to maintain a clear visual field. J Endourol 2010;24:905-13. |
2. | Song T, Lee DH. A randomized comparison of laparoscopic LEns defogging using anti-fog solution, waRm saline, and chlorhexidine solution (CLEAR). Surg Endosc 2020;34:940-5. |
[Figure 1]
|