What Are Examination Lights?

Examination lights are specialized lamps that provide high-intensity, high CRI light for close examinations and diagnoses. What sets these lights apart is the immense diversity in design from different manufacturers. While surgical lights are often large or wide, examination lights can vary in size, shape, number of bulbs, and more. There are plenty of options to choose from to fit any office or clinic size, whether it's an ambulatory treatment center or a private exam room.

Important Traits to Look for when Shopping

• Light Intensity: The brightness of a lamp is measured through either units of lux or foot-candles. Both measure light emittance: lux measures lumens per square meter, while foot-candles measure the amount of light in a one-foot radius. Different bulbs emit different light intensities as well. Halogen is the most widely used, but LED modules are slowly replacing them, as LED is more energy-efficient and tends to be brighter.
• Color Rendering Index (CRI): The color rendering index measures the accuracy of true color when a light source is shined on an object. The higher the CRI, the more accurate a color is under that light source. This need for accurate color is especially important when it comes to diagnosing conditions in soft tissues and organs.
• Configurations: A majority of examination lights come in different configurations (also known as models), with varying degrees of versatility to fit the work space. Wall mounts and table mounts may be best for close quarters or up-close examinations with patients. Ceiling mounts keep lights compact and away from vital equipment, while floorstands are mobile for easy transport in large areas.
• Shape and Structure: As stated above, examination lights are incredibly diverse between manufacturers. While perusing the catalog of lights available, consider which ones would best suit the workspace. Smaller examination lights are more compact for easy storage and patient comfort. Wider examination lights offer lots of light, including head-to-toe coverage. Spotlights are also available for refined, focused light.

Surgical and Examination Lights: What's the Difference?

As the names suggest, surgical lights are designed to provide bright, reliable light for long, complicated procedures. Examination lights are typically used for assessing, diagnosing, or even providing minor treatments to patients. Here are a few other frequent differences:

• Size: Surgical lights lean toward the larger side in terms of width. This is necessary for large surgical suites, providing consistent light for complicated procedures. Examination lights are just as consistent, but are primarily used for more intimate settings for diagnoses and treatment. As a result, a majority of them lean towards the compact side.
• Brightness: It's necessary for surgical lights to be as bright as tolerable, due to the nature of the delicate work. But examination lights can be tailored to a practitioner's needs, including heat-free designs and adjustable brightness levels for patient comfort.