Microscope Eye Shields – Great for Fluorescence Microscopy
What is this?
The Tru-Block™ Eye Shields are unusually tall eye shields that fit on your microscope eyepieces and block light entering your eyes from the side.
(Click on any image for larger view)
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- Eye shields folded down – if you can see his eyes, light can get in!
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- Eye shields folded up to block light
What is the benefit?
- You can see things under the microscope better when there is less interference and distraction from light entering your peripheral vision.
- You can observe fluorescence even in well-lit environments when used in combination with the Eclipse MicroTent™.
Why did you introduce these?
When we were testing the prototypes of the Eclipse MicroTent™ under the most challenging conditions – outdoors in full sun – we found that the limiting factor in being able to do fluorescence work was the light entering the sides of our eyes. Simply holding our hands up to block that light made all the difference. Existing eye cups did not extend high enough to be effective. We experimented with hoods, blinders, and other tricks, but none of these had the right combination of function and convenience. These tall eye shields proved to be the most practical solution.
They are also effective when used by themselves for microscopy in general.
How do you use the eye shields?
To attach, just stretch the rubber ring over the end of the eyepiece. The eye shields are available in two sizes so that you can use them with or without existing rubber eye cups. If you want them out of the way you can just fold them down to the sides.
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- Eye shields up for use
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- Eye shields folded down
Are they really effective?
The combination of these microscope eye shields and the Eclipse MicroTent™ give you the freedom to do Fluorescence Everywhere™. The photograph on the left below shows NIGHTSEA founder Charles Mazel using the Stereo Microscope Fluorescence Adapter, powered by a battery, in combination with the tent and the Tru-Block Eye Shields to do fluorescence microscopy on Nobska Beach in Woods Hole, Massachusetts. The image on the right is a fluorescence photograph of a mollusk shell and operculum taken using the system – in the middle of the afternoon. The red fluorescence on the shell arises from chlorophyll in algae growing on the shell.
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- Fluorescence microscopy on the beach in the middle of the afternoon with the Eclipse MicroTent, Tru-Block Eye Shields, and SFA Battery Pack
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- Fluorescence stereo micrograph of underside of a snail shell, showing the operculum and algae growing on the shell
Part numbers and price
- SFA-EYE-S – Standard size, $26.50
- SFA-EYE-C – Compact size, $26.50
Specifications
The Tru-Block Eye Shields are available in two sizes:
- Standard – fits 36 – 45mm (1.45 – 1.75″)
- Compact – fits 28 – 37mm (1.10 – 1.46″)
How to order
Order from the Electron Microscopy Sciences (EMS) web site.