3D Vision & Eye Health – Lazy eyes, Amblyopia, and more.

Seeing in 3D

Binocular vision is the ability to align and focus both eyes accurately on an object and then combine the visual images from each eye into a single, clear three dimensional perception. Difficulty seeing in 3D can arise when eye fatigue occurs, forcing the eyes to make adjustments to focus simultaneously on images that are near and far away.

As 3D viewing becomes more commonplace in movie theaters, on television, and even in handheld gaming systems, we would like to reinforce that 3D viewing is not harmful and actually has a distinct benefit of alerting individuals and parents to undetected vision disorders and eye diseases that, if caught early, are fully amenable to treatment. This includes eye diseases like amblyopia. If amblyopia is not detected early and treated, it often causes not only a loss of 3D viewing but lifelong vision impairment and disability. Symptoms indicating a potential problem viewing images in 3D can vary, but some common symptoms include headaches, blurred vision, nausea and dizziness.

The 3D’s of Stereoscopic 3D Viewing

• Discomfort: Since 3D viewing is based on the eyes converging in front of or beyond the screen, viewing 3D images can potentially create eyestrain and headaches. Consumers can reduce the conflict by sitting at a greater distance from the screen.

• Dizziness: 3D technology can exaggerate visual motion hypersensitivity (VMH), which can cause motion sickness, and vergence accommodation conflict, causing consumers to feel dizzy or nauseous during or after viewing 3D content.

• Lack of Depth: A viewer lacking binocular vision, simply won’t see 3D. While this doesn’t pose any problem viewing the screen, it serves as a “vision screening” that something is abnormal with the viewer’s binocular vision.

When to See Your Eye Doctor

In addition to your annual eye health exam, you need to see a doctor of optometry for further evaluation if you answer yes to any of the following questions:

• Is the 3D viewing experience not as vivid as it is for others watching the same picture?

• Do you experience eye strain or headaches during or after viewing?

• Do you feel nauseous or dizzy during or after viewing?

• Are you more comfortable viewing 2D TV or movies instead of 3D TV/movies?

• Is it difficult for your eyes to adjust back to normal after watching 3D TV/movies?

• Is you depth perception off? Do you have trouble driving/judging distance, etc.?

Dr. Howard Ross at our Downtown Complete Eye Care location across from the mall can help you and your family diagnose any of these vision problems. Proper therapy and check ups with Dr. Ross is important to the process and will help revive your 3D vision in no time. Eyeglass prescriptions are important to maintaining 3D vision throughout life, and yearly appointments with Dr. Howard Ross can keep your vision clear. Schedule your appointment online today!