Absolute Clarity & Calibration, LLC
             109 Main Street, Terryville, CT  06786
               Telephone - (860) 583-0502
               E-mail:  jross@absoluteclarity.com

Common Microscope Problems

 The alignment of a scope is only one of the more common causes of eye fatigue for scope users.

Parfocality is the ability of a scope to be focused at high magnification and maintain focus all the way to low magnification in both eyes.  If a scope is not adjusted and setup properly it may not have parfocality which will cause eye strain for the users.  (See "Evaluating your Microscope" for proper set-up of a microscope.)

 A lack of regular and proper maintenance is the only cause of the most difficult problem of all.  The problem is internal contamination of the optics.  The internal lubricants aromatic components evaporate after as few as 2 to 5 years and begin the internal contamination process.  Once a film of sticky contamination has coated the internal optics dirt can stick to the film making the images dull and hazy.  You may notice that the zoom knob is hard to turn or the optics may “chatter” when zooming up or down.  If you look backwards through the scope  (up through the bottom lens) and slowly turn the zoom knob, you will be able to see the dirt on every optical surface in the system.  

If these procedures does not clarify the microscope out-of-focus problems and eye strain is evident, then it is badly in need of service and Absolute Clarity should be contacted at your earliest convenience.