[by isurfWebster]

Memorial Day weekend is the unofficial start of summer — picnics at the park, swimming at the beach and the latest 3D blockbuster movies coming soon to a theater near you.

There has been confusion about the affect of eye health from 3D viewing, which is not harmful. The Kentucky Optometric Association offers tips on how to minimize eye strain while watching movies and things to look for when viewing 3D that might signal an eye problem.

First, since 3D viewing is based on the eyes converging in front of or beyond the screen, viewing those images can potentially create eyestrain and headaches. Consumers can reduce the conflict by sitting at a greater distance from the screen.

Second, a viewer lacking binocular vision simply won’t see 3D. Although 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.

“That means 3D actually has a benefit,” said Dr. Joe Ellis, a doctor of optometry in Benton, Ky., and president of the American Optometric Association. “It can alert people to undetected vision disorders and eye diseases that, if caught early, are fully treatable.”

The KOA recommends seeing a doctor of optometry for further evaluation if consumers 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 eyestrain 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 or movies?
• Is it difficult for your eyes to adjust back to normal after watching 3D TV or movies?

For more information, visit www.3Deyehealth.org, and to find an optometrist in your area, please visit www.kyeyes.org.

See the original post here: http://www.isurfwebster.com/news/local-news/7447-optometrists-offer-tips-on-watching-3d-movies.html

About the Kentucky Optometric Association:
Doctors of optometry are located in 106 counties in Kentucky. They are highly qualified, trained doctors on the frontline of eye and vision care who examine, diagnose, treat and manage diseases and disorders of the eye. In addition to providing eye and vision care, optometrists play a major role in a patient’s overall health and well-being by detecting systemic diseases such as diabetes and hypertension.

Prior to optometry school, optometrists typically complete four years of undergraduate study, culminating in a bachelor’s degree. Required undergraduate coursework for pre-optometry students is extensive and covers a wide variety of advanced health, science and mathematics. Optometry school consists of four years of post-graduate, doctoral study concentrating on both the eye and systemic health. In addition to their formal training, doctors of optometry must undergo annual continuing education to stay current on the latest standards of care.

iSurf News
Information provided by the Kentucky Optometric Association
Posted by Karen Orange – iSurf News