3D Technology Advance Triggers Health Warnings

The advance of 3D technologies continues to grow despite the growing number of health warnings posted by the manufacturers themselves.

'You can't stop Progress'

Most of the swathe of developments at the Consumer Electronics Show in January related to 3D consumer electronics. The quest for a 'glasses-free' devices is driving the innovations.

3D is also marching its way into to business applications, including 3D videoconferencing systems.

The Hungarian company iPONT, showcased the world's first multi-view auto-stereoscopic unit (glasses-free 3D) at the show. There have been many other attempts at glasses-free applications in the past, but these have been hampered by narrow viewing angles and narrow focus bands. However, iPONT's technology enables viewing of 3D content from angles as wide as 120 degrees, without the need for glasses.

However it is significant that some of the major game manufacturers have begun to issue health warnings.

The updated terms of service issues for the SONY PlayStation 3 warns that 3D may cause various types of discomfort or disorientation to some people, and warns against use by young children.

Various companies have warned that some people may experience symptoms such as eye strain, fatigue or nausea while playing 3D video games or watching 3D televisions. They recommend that people should take regular breaks and should discontinue use if discomfort or disorientation occurs.

Many companies also warn against use by children under 6 or 7 years of age, because the vision of young children is still under development.

Samsung has recently issued similar warnings against such things as altered vision, nausea lightheadedness, dizziness, involuntary eye movements and muscle twitching, confusion and disorientation and other potential problems

Nintendo has also issued warnings prior to the release of its much awaited Nintendo 3DS units. The unit includes a slider switch that allows users to instantly turn on or off the 3D capabilities of the 3DS. With this slider, uses(or parents) can choose to turn off the 3D imaging on the 3DS if it becomes a problem.

Nintendo reaffirmed its 3DS health warning in a press release in its website in early January. It advised that children under the age of six should not the use the 3D mode because their eyes are still in the developing stages. It also recommended taking breaks after every 30 minutes of play, because it suggested that 3D causes eye fatigue faster than normal 2D.

Is the 3D technology progressing way ahead the health research?

Sounds similar to the Cell-Phone health debate!

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