One of the primary reasons behind weak eyesight is constant exposure to screens, be it mobile phones, computers or the television. A lot of major forms of entertainment also consist of looking at screens, for example, movies, games, music videos etc. 3D movies and videos are also growing to be a big part of the screen time that our eyes endure.
You don’t always need to be in the theatre with blue-red glasses to watch a 3D movie or video. It is no longer the novelty or rarity that it used to be, becoming increasingly easily available even at home. Still, the popularity of and love for them has not subsided. Filmmakers are making more and more films in 3D for an ever-increasing audience base. Since we encounter 3D visuals more frequently now, it is important to understand just how it affects our eyes.
How natural is the 3D vision?
the world we see around us all day is in 3 dimensions, many assume that our vision is 3D all the time naturally. While we see everything in 3D naturally, movies achieve the 3D quality by adding special effects. Speaking of the technical aspects of a 3D movie, the film is actually shot on cameras with polarising effects that give it the 3D effect. So when you watch such a film with 3d glasses, the polarisation is filtered so that it looks life-like to you. While this technology works fine, doctors have suspected that it also causes problems for your eyesight.
How does watching 3D movies affect your eyes?
The 3D glasses you wear, have polarization that filters light differently for both your eyes. Normally, both of your eyes’ muscles work in tandem to make one image, but in this case, both muscles work individually. This is usually the cause for a strain on your eyes that can manifest through a number of symptoms, like:
- Headaches
- Nausea or vomiting
- Dizziness
- Difficulty in focusing
Although these problems are temporary and can be fixed by avoiding looking at the screen for some time.
Read Also: What Is The Impact Of 3D Entertainment On Your Eyes?
Are 3D movies harmful to your eyes?
While there have been no noted permanent damage or vision problems caused by watching 3D visuals, there are enough short-term effects that can cause you distress. Since an average person sees very few 3D movies in daily life, these effects can be considered rather insignificant. But the previously mentioned symptoms can cause real trouble if the exposure is continued, especially in children who watch too many 3D movies and play 3D games.
If any symptoms of discomfort in your eyes from watching 3D movies continue for a long time, you need to make an appointment with your ophthalmologist to cure them. Better eye care at the right time can prevent any further vision problems from occurring.