A Guide To Buying Used Ophthalmic Equipment

By Lela Perkins


Many optometrists find it challenging to run a successful eye care practice. One reason for this is that ophthalmic technology, equipment and instrumentation keep on changing. Ophthalmic devices are very expensive and it is hard to buy every new device in the market. Fortunately you can get necessary instruments if you consider purchasing used ophthalmic equipment.

Many eye care professionals have now realized that they can use second hand instruments in the same manner that they use new instruments to treat patients. Used devices are cost effective and you should not be afraid of buying them just because there is a stigma attached to buying second hand machines.

Second hand instruments that are inspected by technicians function very well and they can help you reduce the capital demands of your practice. This will leave you with money that you can invest in other areas of your business such as hiring staff and office decor. This is very important especially if you are just starting out.

Office decor can boost the confidence that your clients have about you because it displays your level of professionalism and class. If you are able to hire more employees, you can expand the services you offer. Getting more cost effective instruments gives you the best chance to spread your business capital to cater for various aspects of your eye care practice.

Basically, there are three options to choose from when purchasing second hand instruments. One of them is buying items that another practice has been using. The main disadvantage of this option is that the instruments do not come with a warranty. The second option is buying refurbished instruments and the third one is buying remanufactured instruments. This applies mostly to high end eye care devices, which are reconditioned and placed back into the market.

The process taken to remanufacture devices involves dismantling, repairing and then rebuilding them to make sure that they comply with the specifications of a manufacturer. After this, they are reassembled and then sold at prices that are a little bit lower than those of new instruments. The remanufacturing process is usually done to machines that have been in use for more than two years.

One the other hand, the refurbishing process is usually performed on machines that are less than 2 years old. Manufacturers or equipment dealers can refurbish devices. They clean them up and replace any components that may be broken. Unlike remanufactured devices, refurbished devices do not undergo rigorous teardown and rebuilding. They may therefore look a little bit older than remanufactured instruments.

Once you decide whether to source your instruments from a practice or to buy remanufactured or refurbished devices, you should then think about the best place to get them. One good option is buying devices from optometrists who are retiring because it is very likely for you to get high quality second hand instruments in this way.

You can also search through a number of auctioneering websites to find out whether they stock high quality instruments. When buying these devices, it is wise to ask the seller to provide you with relevant documentation for them. You should also weigh the prices of the used ophthalmic equipment against their quality before making a purchasing decision.




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