Healthbeat Report: The 3-D Dilemma

Chicago-lands ABC WLS TV news just finished showing a HealthBeat
segment where I was interviewed on the "Avatar 3D Vision Syndrome"
during the 10 PM time slot. WLS TV Producer Christine Tressel is shown here with me (above.) Here is a bit of the transcript....click here for the full transcript....

(this photo was by Waldo Duran)

February 25, 2010 (CHICAGO) -- Digital technology is making the 3-D experience
like nothing before. But many people still say trying to see in stereo
leaves them with a headache, stomach ache or both. That could be a sign
of an undiagnosed vision problem. And there may be a way to fix it.

For decades, 3-D was seen as more of a gimmick than an art form. Today's
three-dimensional experience is challenging that perception. And by
spring you could have a 3D TV in your home.

But even in this advanced form3-D is leaving some viewers feeling sick. Angela Brusnman is one of them.

"Throughout the experience it's definitely an ocular headache. You can tell it's
definitely coming from right behind the eyes," said Brunsman.

Complaints include headache, nausea, dizziness and fatigue. There are no hard
numbers but its estimated anywhere from 4 to 10 percent of the
population can't watch or tolerate 3-D.

"Anywhere from 3 million to 9 million or more will have binocular vision
dysfunctions that will stop them from enjoying 3-D movies," said
Dominick Maino, O.D., optometrist, Illinois Eye Institute.".....

I went on to discuss how we can treat those binocular vision disorders that stop my patients from enjoying 3D movies....

The newscast also interviewed an Ophthalmologist, who did not think
optometric vision therapy would help adults...it's too bad he has not
stayed up to date on all the new neuroplasticity research that clearly
shows even adult brains can change in a positive fashion with the right
therapy!! I'll post the link to the video as soon as it becomes
available.

If you have any questions about the 3D Vision Syndrome, please feel free to email me at dmaino@ico.edu