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Something Done Differently

By Omar Farooq Nazir, MD

It is now common for one’s professional life to bleed into the realm of personal space. This was amplified by COVID-19, where many aspects previously done only at work became regular occurrences at home. By now, we have all had more than our share of meetings, classes, conferences, and clinic visits outside of what was once considered standard work hours. While the majority of work-related aspects coming home are unpleasant, there are occasionally some unexpected positives.

As a hand surgeon, precision is a constant. The most obvious evidence of this is by the use of loupes, or magnifying glasses. These specialized glasses assist with visualization of the small structures that are critical to the function of the hand. The day-to-day value of this improved visualization cannot be understated, making many operations that seem impossible routine. 

As a recent home owner, I have been experiencing many of the highs and lows associated with this responsibility. Having more space and the ability to make changes on a whim are balanced out by leaky faucets and broken switches. Shortly after moving, replacing the bathroom floor was at the top of to-do list. After watching a few videos on the internet, I felt that I was ready to take the first step, removing the old flooring. Of course, my safety goggles were packed away in an unknown location, leading me to the next obvious choice – my surgical loupes. 

When using surgical loupes, one can look around the magnification aspect, having the glasses function simply as safety goggles. What I quickly realized was that the magnification offered a similar advantage I was used to having in the operating room. I was able to make millimeter precise cuts and identify subtle imperfections. I had found the newest piece in my tool kit. The loupes became an essential tool in all home improving tasks – ranging from wiring lights to identifying leaks.

Next on the to-do list- the backyard fence. If you happen to see someone wearing strange looking glasses at the hardware store, be sure to say hello – and maybe consider adding loupes to your own toolbox.

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