Abstract
At workplaces with optical aids workers complain more often from visual and musculoskeletal disorders compared to those working in offices. These complaints concern more often workers using magnifying glasses than those using stereo-microscopes. Bad working-postures at workplaces with loupes and the worse optical quality of todays loupes are two causes. In addition, the measured magnification was less than the theoretical value of standards. The strain of accommodation was high. The results of this study suggest use of eye-glasses for near-vision in addition to loupes. The use of stereo-microscopes instead of loupes must be recommended.