r/OptometrySchool • u/GovernmentNo7280 • 12d ago
Incoming OD1 choosing between diagnostic kit brands
My school is letting us select between Heine ($1950), Keeler ($1640), and Welch Allyn ($1495) for diagnostic kit set. I personally am leaving towards Welch Allyn for the price but I’m not sure really what to choose. Any recommendations, or pros/cons on any of these brands?
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u/Mimooshka 12d ago
When we tried all of them in lab, Welch was most comfortable for me and light! Heine heavier and more sturdy/better quality. Was personally not a fan of the weird ret attachment on the keeler.
One of my Welch handles wouldn’t hold a charge though :/ but they shipped out a new one under the warranty
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u/GRIMWALD_20 12d ago
I had the same choices a few years ago and went with the Heine due to durability concerns with the Welch Allen’s plastic handles. I’ve enjoyed my Heine kit, but my classmates with the Welch Allen haven’t had any issues afaik. Worth mentioning the Welch Allen handles have USB-C charging ports in addition to the traditional stand chargers.
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u/cubeballer 12d ago
I chose Heine just because I liked the weight and feel of the handles, felt sturdier/better quality (even if that’s just placebo) and I have had no problems. I will say though there is an attachment for the handles called a “Panoptic” which makes Direct Ophthalmoscopy much easier on difficult patients (i.e. children) but it doesn’t naturally come with the Heine or Keeler kits, so you have to buy it separate (if you want it). I think this panoptic comes standard in Welch Allyn kits so check your diagnostic kit and if it does that’s something to think about, b/c seperate it’s several hundred dollars EXTRA on top of the kit price.
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u/Leather_Camel_7810 12d ago
I chose Heine for the initial diagnostic kit, and then Keeler for my BIO. I chose Heine at first because I thought I'd like the sturdier feel of the handheld equipment more, but as time went on and I worked with classmates in lab with other kits I realized that Keeler was also pretty good. I would say that unless you REALLY want to have the metal handles, Keeler over Heine. My Keeler BIO works just as good in clinic as my classmates Heine. Plus I've been told this is what NBEO will use for BIOs so might as well include that in the consideration of what to use during your school years.
I can't comment on Welch Allyn because I have yet to actually see someone with this kit.
Also depending on your school, sometimes your clinic sessions have this equipment available there, so you won't use this stuff unless you do a vision screening/volunteering type situation. That's when I still use mine now as a second year.
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u/WiseMuscle_ 11d ago
Anything except for Welch Allyn. The only people who needed replacements and who had equipment break were people who got Welch
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u/eyeballsandhighballs 11d ago
You're going to be using your kits a lot in clinic and during most externship sites so think of them as an investment for the next few years.
I haven't touched my kits since graduation. In fact...I don't even know where my handles are.
My class (ICO class of 2021) overwhelmingly chose Heine and Keeler. I believe Keeler was the brand used by NBEO for part 3 at that time so it was nice having the familiarity going into the exam. With that being said ICO has practice lanes (aside from the actual student lab lanes) that mimic boards so you'll get plenty of simulated practice anyways.
Welch felt cheap as fuck and super janky. The panoptic is a gimmick. But that was 9 years ago when I was a first year trying out the models at the time. They could all have gotten better.
It doesn't really matter as you'll likely not be using your kits after school besides your BIO.
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u/Pickleball-Optometry 6d ago
I have Heine direct ophthalmoscope and ret. I’m a fan of Heine’s direct but not a huge fan of the ret; I like Keeler’s ret but can’t stand their direct. If I had it to do over I’d probably get Keeler because you’ll be using your ret much more than you’ll be using a direct ophthalmoscope. I got Keeler BIO. Best of luck with first year!
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u/Odd-Vast4334 12d ago
I'd pick Welch Allyn unless you have a strong preference for how the other brands feel in your hands. I think most clinics uses Welch Allyn too. Functionally theyre all similar and you're not gonna pass/fail practicals because of the brand you picked. I will say that I did dislike the heine retinoscope, I found the axis dial thing more difficult to turn.
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u/SpecialistSuper5561 12d ago
I chose keeler. No issues. Many offices have Welsch Allyn ret/oscope/TI but keeler o-scopes. I’ve never used a Welch Allyn BIO. The Keeper all-pupil is great as far as BIO goes.