How to handle and care for bulbs in ophthalmic equipment

• Turn on the equipment at the lowest light intensity setting. Sudden high voltage surges can blow bulbs, especially when cold. • Use the equipment at lower light intensity settings as much as possible. • Turn off the bulb or equipment when it is not being used. • Don’t move a device while the bulb is still lit or hot: wait until the bulb has cooled. Even gentle vibrations may cause a hot bulb filament to break since they are more brittle when hot. • Each time you turn the unit on, a current surge stresses the bulb’s filament. The more often this stress is applied the sooner the bulb will fail. For this reason, turning the equipment on and off frequently is not recommended. • Inadquate cooling can cause the bulb envelope seal to fail or the bulb capsule to swell. Make sure that the fan, if included, is operating and that the intake and exhaust vents are not blocked. Keep the filters clean and the area around the equipment free from objects that might restrict airflow and create heat. • High power line voltage is a major cause of short bulb life. Typically an increase of 5% in the voltage supply above the bulb’s rated voltage can reduce its lifespan by 50%. • Oils and other stains on the bulb’s glass can create hot spots that can cause the bulb to fail. You should avoid touching bulbs with your bare fingers. • Pitting, corrosion or other damage in the bulb socket’s contacts will cause inconsistent current and will shorten the bulb’s life. Replace damaged sockets.