Ophthalmology

Using an ophthalmic chair for best practise in ophthalmology departments

Modern ophthalmology depends on precision, yet many exam rooms are not optimised to support it. Despite highly specialised diagnostic equipment, clinical performance and practitioner wellbeing are often undermined by something surprisingly basic: the patient chair. 

Work-related injuries, alignment errors, and inefficiencies in patient flow often stem from workstation setups that place the burden on the clinician – not the system. 

To address this, we’ve identified seven best practices that empower eye care teams to improve outcomes using an ergonomic, evidence-based approach. Each one is simple, actionable, and grounded in everyday clinical scenarios.  

Most often the biggest difference starts with the patient chair. 

Support the practitioner by positioning the patient

Eye care professionals perform precision tasks for hours each day, yet many exam rooms are still designed around the patient – not the operator. This misalignment forces the practitioner into awkward postures, often without sufficient adjustability to compensate. In clinical ophthalmology, this can lead to a high prevalence of work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WRMSDs), particularly in the neck, shoulders and upper back (Schall et al. 2014; Schechet et al. 2020). 

When the ophthalmic chair or eye examination chair for the patient cannot be properly adjusted to match the practitioner’s ergonomics or the fixed layout of ophthalmology setups, practitioners are left to compensate. This typically involves repetitive repositioning of the patient, leaning forward over the slit lamp, or repeatedly readjust ophthalmic devices – actions that have been shown to increase fatigue and reduce efficiency (Schall et al. 2014). 

The ergonomic case for a fully adjustable ophthalmology exam chair

An adjustable ophthalmic chair for patients plays a key role in shifting this dynamic. Rather than adjusting yourself or your equipment, you adjust the patient. This fundamental ergonomic shift enables the operator to maintain a stable, neutral posture throughout the examination, helping to: 

– Reduce static loading and non-neutral postures 

– Minimise forward head posture (FHP) and neck strain 

– Enhance reproducibility across patients 

– Improve throughput and diagnostic accuracy  

In Schall et al.’s comparative study, ergonomic equipment configurations – including adjustable seating – reduced upper trapezius and deltoid muscle activity by up to 13% compared to conventional setups (Schall et al. 2014). Learn more about how a patient chair makes all the difference in an ergonomic ophthalmic setup and extends ophthalmology equipment performance. 

Ophthalmic chair designed for precision and posture

Whether it’s an ophthalmology exam chair, ophthalmic chair, or eye doctor chair for patients, the best solution supports the entire examination process – starting from patient entry to final examinations. With features like electric height adjustment, anterior tilt, and a central brake, the eye exam chair supports forward-leaning postures without compromising stability. 

This is particularly important when handling fragile or immobile patients, including older adults or children. A secure and stable eye examination chair for patients not only improves patient safety but also helps practitioners perform delicate tasks without strain. 

Book a demo now to learn more

Seven step-by-step best practices for better workflow and safety in ophthalmology

Implementing ergonomic best practices in ophthalmology isn’t about adding complexity – it’s about enabling consistent, high-quality care through smarter setup. These best practices guide eye care professionals through a repeatable ergonomic process that improves precision, protects clinician health, and enhances patient safety. Each step focuses on a common challenge in daily ophthalmic work – and how to solve it using a properly configured ophthalmic chair.  

1. Adjust the workstation to the practitioner – not the patient

Ophthalmic exams often involve repetitive fine motor tasks over long periods. If the workstation is set up to suit the patient rather than the practitioner, it forces the clinician into forward leaning and awkward positions — a leading cause of shoulder, neck and back strain over time. 

How: 

– Start by adjusting the device or table height to suit the practitioner’s neutral posture. 

– Then adjust the ophthalmic chair’s height and position so the patient aligns correctly.  

– Activate the brake to keep patient in position during the examination. 

– Avoid lowering the workstation or forcing the operator to bend. 

2. Position the patient for stability and image quality

Even the most advanced diagnostic devices can’t compensate for unstable or poorly aligned patients. Subtle movement can lead to motion artefacts or inaccurate scans – especially with OCT and fundus imaging. 

How: 

– Seat the patient and position the chair in front of the equipment. 

– Activate the brake for stability. 

– Apply a slight forward tilt and adjust the backrest to support a forward-leaning posture. 

– Choose tilt angle based on patient cooperation and stability. 

3. Handle fragile patients safely – from arrival to exam

Older patients or those with impaired mobility often struggle to transfer independently. Without the right ophthalmology exam chair, clinicians must physically assist – increasing risk of falls and musculoskeletal strain for both parties. 

How: 

– Bring the ophthalmology chair to the patient upon arrival. 

– Lock the brake and assist the patient into the chair. 

– Re-engage mobility using the push handle to bring the patient to the workstation. 

– Adjust as needed for height and back support as described above. 

4. Reduce transfers for disabled patients who can sit independently

Repeated transfers between chairs and exam stations not only delay workflow but also increase patient stress and staff fatigue — especially in clinics with multiple diagnostic stations. 

How: 

– Perform a single transfer into a mobile patient chair for ophthalmology on arrival. 

– Keep the patient seated and move the chair between stations as needed. 

– Use brakes, seat tilt, and height adjustment at each stage instead of asking patients to readjust themselves. 

5. Support short-statured patients and children

Children and shorter adults often can’t reach diagnostic equipment – leading to improvised solutions like pillows or knee-sitting, which compromise both stability and exam quality. 

How: 

– Position the patient in front of the eye equipment.  

– Adjust the seat height to accommodate the eye examination equipment.  

– If necessary, small children can sit on their knees during the examination.  

– Use the armrests, backrest and seat tilt to provide additional support. 

– Remember to always activate the brake for stability and safety. 

6. Adapt the chair for patients with obesity

Patients with obesity may not be able to lean forward properly without additional space and support. Improvised positioning increases discomfort and reduces exam quality. 

How: 

– Fold back the armrests to allow patient to abduct the legs. 

– Ensure safe and centred positioning at device before activating the brake. 

– Apply a mild seat tilt to help the patient lean forward. 

7. Position pregnant patients comfortably and securely

In the third trimester, standard seating often creates pressure or limits movement. A poorly configured chair can make ophthalmic exams stressful or even impossible. 

How: 

– Create belly space by abducting the legs, folding back armrests if necessary. 

– Activate the brake to ensure a safe and stable position.  

– Adjust seat height to device. 

– Use seat tilt to enable comfortable leaning posture without instability. 

Incorporating these best practices doesn’t mean changing your equipment – it means making your equipment work better. By prioritising practitioner posture, safe patient positioning, and a more efficient flow between stations, ophthalmology departments can reduce physical strain, improve consistency, and enhance image quality across the board. 

The key is adjustability – and the most impactful place to start is the ophthalmic chair for patients. It’s a low-effort upgrade with high clinical value. 

Ready to see how these principles can improve your workflow? Book a live demonstration and experience the difference one chair can make. 

Choosing between ‘VELA Basic+’ and VELA ‘Move+’ Ophthalmology Chairs: which eye examination chair supports your workflow?

Both VELA ‘Basic+’ and ‘VELA Move+’ are designed to support an ergonomic workstation, stable patient positioning, and high-quality diagnostics. They share key features such as electric height adjustment, seat tilt, and a central brake – making both suitable for most ophthalmology exam chair setups. 

The main difference lies in mobility and handling. While VELA ‘Basic+’ is ideal for stationary use in a single exam room, ‘VELA Move+’ includes a push handle and a footrest, allowing the patient to be moved safely between devices without additional transfers as well as extra patient stability with the added foot support. Only the ‘Move+’ fully enables fluent patient handling and workflow flexibility – making it the better ophthalmology exam chair in dynamic settings. 

Which chair fits your clinic?

Choose VELA Basic+ if your workflow is based in one room and stationery, with patients examined at a single diagnostic station. It supports safe, ergonomic working posture and smooth patient adjustment. No more, no less. 

Choose VELA Move+ if your patients move between devices or rooms. It enables smooth, low-effort transport and positioning, without additional transfers or lifting—making it the preferred solution for fragile, immobile patients or high-throughput settings. 

Book a demo now

Upgrade your exam room with an ophthalmology exam chair

Investing in the right eye exam chair or patient chair of ophthalmology is about more than patient comfort. It’s about building a clinical environment that prioritises the health and effectiveness of the practitioner. Ergonomically optimised setups have been shown to improve both practitioner wellbeing and examination outcomes (Mather 2024; Schall et al. 2014). 

Ultimately, adjusting the workstation to the practitioner – not the patient – enables better care, lower injury risk, and a more efficient workflow. It’s a simple change that can make a lasting difference. 

Learn more here

References

Mather, Rookaya. 2024. “Preventing Work-Related Musculoskeletal Injuries”. Canadian Eye Care Today 3 (3). Toronto, Canada:40–46. https://doi.org/10.58931/cect.2024.3351.

Schall, Mark C., Nathan B. Fethke, Yue Chen, and Andrew S. Kitzmann. 2014. “A Comparison of Examination Equipment Used During Common Clinical Ophthalmologic Tasks”. IIE transactions on occupational ergonomics and human factors, 2(2): 105–117. https://doi.org/10.1080/21577323.2014.964812.

Schechet, Sidney A., Eva DeVience, Stephen DeVience, Shweta Shukla, and Mona Kaleem. 2020. “Survey of Musculoskeletal Disorders Among US Ophthalmologists.” Digital Journal of Ophthalmology 26: 33–45. https://doi.org/10.5693/djo.01.2020.02.001.