A week ago, Nintendo released a boilerplate warning for their upcoming 3DS portable, saying that children under six should probably not be using the 3D features of the portable. People ran with it, wondering if the 3D effect couldn’t irreparably damage childrens’ eyesight. Well the American Optometric Association (AOA) dropped a press release yesterday urging people to calm down a bit. The organization says that the technology isn’t harmful to children or adults, according to current research. In fact, the AOA contends that 3D can help.
How? Viewing 3D content requires visual acuity, well-coordinated eye muscles, and a brain that can “match appropriate accommodative or focusing power with where the eyes are aimed.” Issues viewing 3D content can actually point towards very real problems with normal vision. This can lead to “rapid fatigue of the eyes and loss of 3D viewing, but also loss of place when reading or copying, reduced reading comprehension, poor grades and increased frustration at school.” The AOA says that current eye exams don’t screen for many of these issues, so they may go unnoticed in many people.
The organization does not necessarily disagree with Nintendo’s warning though, as comprehensive studies of long-term 3D viewing are not yet complete. If children experience discomfort, dizziness, or lack of depth while viewing 3D content, then these warning signs can point to various vision disorders or abnormal development of a child’s vision. The AOA cautions parents to moderate their child’s use of 3D-enabled devices, and to have children treated as soon as problems arise.
