The following was written by Bill Evans and published in the Coolum and North Shore News, Ask the Professionals page on Friday, 30th April 2010.
Q: Do 3D glasses affect your eyes?
A: The blockbuster movie Avatar has caused a world-wide craze and not just for its surreal and fanciful storyline; the 3D version has generated an obsession with glasses. All 3D glasses work by filtering images so that the left eye sees one image, and the right eye sees a slightly different image. It’s then up to the brain to fuse them together so that you perceive a 3D image. The glasses themselves won’t damage the eyes or impair your vision. Viewing 3D movies or television programs shouldn’t be treated any differently to 2D versions. When watching any movie or television program it is important to sit at a comfortable distance from the screen so that any neck or eye strain is minimised. If you experience any symptoms such as blur, spots, tiredness or redness while watching a movie or playing computer games in 3D or 2D, you should have your eyes examined by your optometrist.
