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!
FAQs
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.
What does vision look like with amblyopia? ›
Signs and symptoms of lazy eye include: An eye that wanders inward or outward. Eyes that appear to not work together. Poor depth perception.
What is the new treatment for lazy eyes? ›
The results show dichoptic therapy is very effective in improving visual acuity and stereopsis in adult amblyopia, especially when caused by anisometropia, Dr Cummings said. “It is very exciting.
Is amblyopia the same as lazy eye? ›
Amblyopia (also called lazy eye) is a type of poor vision that usually happens in just 1 eye but less commonly in both eyes. It develops when there's a breakdown in how the brain and the eye work together, and the brain can't recognize the sight from 1 eye.
Does amblyopia qualify disability? ›
Visual disabilities include, but are not limited to: blindness, low level vision, ocular motility dysfunction/eye movement disorders, convergence dysfunction/inefficiency in using both eyes together, strabismus/misalignment of the eyes, amblyopia/lazy eye, accommodative disorders/focusing problems, visual sensory ...
Can you fix amblyopia in adults? ›
Yes. The root cause of lazy eye is poor binocular vision. This is one of the main problems vision therapy can address. Lazy eye in adults can be successfully treated by improving their visual skills, which can be achieved at any age.
What vitamin deficiency causes lazy eye? ›
Nutritional amblyopia is caused by deficiencies of one or more B complex vitamins, and clinical and experimental evidence suggests that thiamin deficiency, niacin deficiency, vitamin B12 deficiency, and folate deficiency alone or in combination may cause nutri- tional amblyopia.
What is the most common cause of amblyopia? ›
Strabismus is the most common cause of amblyopia. Having a family member with strabismus, increases your chance of having strabismus. The term "lazy eye" refers to amblyopia, which often occurs along with strabismus. However, amblyopia can occur due to something other than strabismus.
Does amblyopia go away with glasses? ›
Lazy eye (amblyopia) in children can be treated with glasses, an eye patch or eye drops. The treatment will depend on factors like the type and severity of the problem.
What vitamins help lazy eye? ›
What you do eat, what you don't eat, all of it. So what can you eat to improve strabismus and amblyopia? Your brain and eyes function best when they are fueled with foods high in: Vitamins A, C and E.
Anecdotal evidence suggests that exercises such as dot-to-dot cards, coloring within lines, and Brock string tests may improve binocular vision in people with lazy eyes. Patching, using eye drops, and performing exercises while wearing a patch can improve symptoms.
Can you medically fix a lazy eye? ›
“Lazy eye surgery” does not exist. This comes from the fact that strabismus (wandering of one or both eyes) is often confused with the eyes being “lazy.” Lazy eyes with amblyopia just do not see well, it DOES NOT mean they wander or drift. Strabismus, or eye misalignment, CAN be treated with surgery on the eye muscles.
What is the inability to see 3D? ›
Stereoblindness (also stereo blindness) is the inability to see in 3D using stereopsis, or stereo vision, resulting in an inability to perceive stereoscopic depth by combining and comparing images from the two eyes.
Can blind people see 3D movies in one eye? ›
Andrews researchers say that, with the approach they explored, people with only one eye or those with problems watching 3-D with both eyes could still experience its “compelling” effect. “Many of these people don't know what it means to see in 3D because they have never experienced it,” Vishwanath said.
Can I watch 3D with bad eyesight? ›
The solution for most children and adults with vision issues is to view 3D content sparingly, take frequent breaks, and sit farther away from the screen. If you're still noticing significant problems and have constant eye strain, consider seeking out a professional developmental optometrist to evaluate your condition.
Can you see 3D if you are blind in one eye? ›
You'll only be using one eye instead of using both eyes as a pair which can affect 3-dimensional (3D) vision. This can initially cause some problems for people with things like depth perception (judging the height of steps or correctly gauging how to pour liquid into a cup for example).
