Ergonomics for ophthalmologists and how presbyopia affects us all with Dr. Amy Zhang

Dr. Amy D. Zhang is an associate clinical professor of the glaucoma service at the University of Michigan Kellogg Eye Center.  She was previously at Case Western University where she was the glaucoma fellowship director.  Her clinical interests are her work in minimally invasive glaucoma surgery and home tonometry. She is the well-being director for the Department of Ophthalmology and most recently a faculty associate of the Office of Well-Being at Michigan Medicine.  She has an interest in improving ophthalmic ergonomics and looking into addressing drivers of burnout across the health system. She has collaborated with the School of Kinesiology and has current collaborations with Industrial Engineering examining the role of human factors engineering in healthcare. 

In this episode, Dr.  Zhang:

- Emphasizes that ophthalmologists have very high rates of work-related MSK symptoms

- Describes best practices for ophthalmology trainees and practitioners to set themselves up for ergonomic success in the OR (especially with the microscope) and in the clinic (at the slit lamp)

- Shares tips and tricks for working ergonomically in clinic workrooms with computer workstations

- Discusses the ergonomic challenges faced by proceduralists with the onset of presbyopia and provides us with key points to discuss with our eyecare providers when getting fitted with eyewear

Use this article and included toolkit published by Dr. Zhang to describe your work to your eyecare provider

Dr. Zhang can be reached here

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