There seems to be some confusion out there about 3-D image viewing and its impact on the health of children. It began this past spring with a health warning posted on the Samsung Australia website. The original article (which appears to have change slightly) threatened children, pregnant women, the elderly and those under the influence of alcohol with the possibility of seizures and impaired mobility. Although this seems alarming, playing video games and viewing any sort of flickering image has long been discouraged for anyone with a history of epilepsy. And, given the altered depth perception of the 3-D viewing experience, it isn't a stretch to believe that you might have a moment or two of slight disorientation after removing your 3-D glasses. Anyone who already has impaired balance (pregnant women, elderly and those under the influence of alcohol) would then be at a greater risk for falling. Still, the warning doesn't seem to appear at all on the Samsung USA website or on the sites of other 3-D TV manufacturers.
This past week, Nintendo of America president Reggie Fils-Aime added fuel to the fire. In an interview with gaming website Kotaku, Fils-Aime suggested that Nintendo's new handheld unit, a 3-D system, may not be appropriate for those under the age of seven. The argument is that before that age kids' eyes are still developing and the 3-D technology may impair healthy development. Fils-Aime also alluded to statements from the 3-D movie industry to the same effect. If that's true, the information doesn't seem to be making it into the public eye.
With all all of this going on, I had hoped to find some research regarding the effects of 3-D viewing on the eye. Unfortunately, it seems as if the research is limited if it exists at all. I only found mention of one study on the effects in adults (with an extremely small sample size) and none on the effects in children.
There is certainly no cause to panic if your family catches a 3-D movie together now and again. Still, I'd hold off on switching the family TV to a 3-D model and I'd heed Fils-Aime's warning until we have a bit more information to go by.
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