Despite the visual strain experienced by some viewers of 3D movies, optometrists say watching 3D movies is unlikely to have a lasting negative effect on the eyes.
According to Yvonne Barnes, an optometrist in private practice, people with normal binocular vision should experience no difficulties viewing 3D movies.
She explains that the lenses in 3D glasses allow similar but slightly disparate images to be sent to each eye. “Someone with poor vision in one eye will not see one of the images properly,” says Barnes, adding that this could result in visual stress.
“If someone struggles to maintain comfortable binocular vision under normal conditions, they may experience a degree of eyestrain or headaches when viewing a 3D film,” says Barnes.
Michelle Dateling, optometrist and co-owner of Options Optometrists, agrees that people who use one eye to see will not be able to experience the effects 3D glasses deliver. Dateling notes that if a person's visual system is stressed for a prolonged period, they might experience visual strain or double vision.
However, Dateling says both these effects are temporary. According to Barnes, watching 3D movies is unlikely lead to any permanent damage on the eyes.
Referring to research that found viewing 3D content leads to headaches, Andrew Fraser, senior brand manager at Sony SA, argues that the research is flawed because two of the three movies examined in the study were converted from 2D to 3D.
“It's hardly conclusive,” he says. Fraser also contends that if the research had been conducted on movies where the 3D was implemented correctly, the results would probably not be the same.
However, Barnes stresses that people who do experience discomfort or headaches while watching 3D movies should have their vision checked.
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