Influence of stereopsis and abnormal binocular vision on ocular and systemic discomfort while watching 3D television

Abstract

Purpose To evaluate the degree of threedimensional (3D) perception and ocular and systemic discomfort in patients with abnormal binocular vision (ABV), and their relationship to stereoacuity while watching a 3D television (TV). Methods Patients with strabismus, amblyopia, or anisometropia older than 9 years were recruited for the ABV group (98 subjects). Normal volunteers were enrolled in the control group (32 subjects). Best-corrected visual acuity, refractive errors, angle of strabismus, and stereoacuity were measured. After watching 3D TV for 20 min, a survey was conducted to evaluate the degree of 3D perception, and ocular and systemic discomfort while watching 3D TV. Results One hundred and thirty subjects were enrolled in this study. The ABV group included 49 patients with strabismus, 22 with amblyopia, and 27 with anisometropia. The ABV group showed worse stereoacuity at near and distant fixation (Po0.001). Ocular and systemic discomfort was, however, not different between the two groups. Fifty-three subjects in the ABV group and all subjects in the control group showed good stereopsis (60 s of arc or better at near), and they reported more dizziness, headache, eye fatigue, and pain (Po0.05) than the other 45 subjects with decreased stereopsis. The subjects with good stereopsis in the ABV group felt more eye fatigue than those in the control group (P ¼ 0.031). The subjects with decreased stereopsis showed more difficulty with 3D perception (Po0.001). ConclusionsThe subjects with abnormal stereopsis showed decreased 3D perception while watching 3D TV. However, ocular and systemic discomfort was more closely related to better stereopsis.

Visual Discomfort While Viewing Three-dimensional Television as a Screening Tool for Pediatric Eye Diseases in Children

“…In this study, abnormal binocularity included strabismus, anisometropia, and amblyopia. 5 Normal age-matched subjects who did not have any ophthalmologic abnormality other than the refractive error were also enrolled. Informed consent was obtained from all volunteers according to the study protocol, which was reviewed and approved by the Institutional Review Board of the Korea University Medical Center.…”

“…Good stereoacuity was defined as 60 s of arc or better. 5 A 3D movie produced by the national broadcasting system for 3D test-run broadcasts in South Korea was shown for 30 min on a 3D television, sized 139 cm diagonally. Subjects viewed the movie through polarized glasses.…”

“…When they have good stereopsis, they feel more fatigued than normal people. 5 It may be advisable for individuals with 3D asthenopia or difficulty in perceiving stereoscopic images while watching 3D TV to visit ophthalmologic or optometric clinics for an evaluation of their vision and binocularity. This is especially important for children, as their vision is immature, and a substantial portion of permanent abnormalities can be minimized and prevented through early detection and intervention.…”

Efectos de los dispositivos electrónicos sobre el sistema visual

“…Los efectos que esta tecnología puede tener sobre el sistema visual no se conocen bien aún. Para disfrutarla, las personas deben tener una visión binocular o estereopsia normal 10 .…”

“…Los resultados arrojaron que no hubo diferencias estadísticamente significativas entre el grupo control y el grupo con trastornos de visión binocular en cuanto a la fatiga visual y las molestias sistémicas, pero sí con relación a la percepción de las imágenes en 3D que se encontraba disminuida. Concluyeron que aquellos pacientes con anomalías de visión binocular que tenían mejor estereopsia tenían mayor cefalea y molestia visual, sugiriendo que este resultado se debe a que las personas con niveles normales de estereopsia o cercanos a lo normal deben hacer un mayor esfuerzo en las vergencias fusionales y la acomodación mientras miran imágenes en 3D para mantener la fusión 10 .…”