The development of 3-D movies came a long way to where it is right now since the days of 1950’s classics such as House of Wax and the Creature from the Black Lagoon. We know how popular 3-D movies and gaming are for today’s generation. Parents are concerned if the three-dimensional viewing is good for their children’s eyes.
When you have a 3-D game or TV, there is always a warning for the one who will be using it. An example of the warning indicates that it is susceptible to health issues that are associated with viewing 3D. Based on the American Academy of Ophthalmology, there are no studies regarding the short and long-term effects of 3-D viewing. There is no evidence that it affects visual development or eye health in children so there is no need to worry.
3-D viewing can have educational benefits. Some studies suggested teaching using 3-D can help in improving comprehension and retention than traditional presentations do. Schedule an appointment for a comprehensive eye exam with an eye doctor if you or your child experienced any issue with 3-D viewing.
The Viewing Challenges of 3-D
Currently, there is no evidence about the short and long-term effects of 3-D viewing but there are people who complain about the discomfort that they feel when they look at stereoscopic images. Eyestrain and headaches can occur when the eyes are converging images beyond the screen. You can alleviate this problem by sitting at a greater distance from the screen.
If you have a visual motion hypersensitivity (VHM), you may experience dizziness and nausea from 3-D viewing. Therefore, it is not recommended to do so. Amblyopia refers to the imbalance in visual strength between both eyes which means viewers with amblyopia may experience difficulty in seeing 3-D images. The same goes with strabismus because there is a misalignment in the eyes. Some people lack binocular vision who cannot see 3-D images at all.
Can 3-D Be a Vision Test?
People may think viewing 3-D is just a potential discomfort. The truth is there is a good side to this because it can be a vision health indicator. 3-D as a vision test is a highly sensitive test. There are 1 in 4 children who are suffering from underlying vision issues and there are 3 to 9 million with binocular vision problems. Viewing 3-D TV and movies can help to identify problems that can initiate early treatments if needed.