Influence of three-dimensional image viewing on visual function

Purpose A three-dimensional (3D) image viewing experiment was performed using a new 3D scenography system. The influence on visual function was investigated both in adults and in children employing both objective and subjective methods. Methods The subjects were 21 healthy adults (mean age ± standard deviation: 42.1 ± 10.0 years) and 21 healthy children (7.8 ± 1.5 years). The 3D image viewing time was set at 90 min for adults and 60 min for children, and the visual function was objectively evaluated using an accommodative microfluctuation analysis system both before and after 3D image viewing. In addition, subjective symptoms were surveyed employing a questionnaire both before and after viewing in the adult group to subjectively evaluate the visual function. Results No significant difference was noted in accommodative microfluctuation between the before and after viewing in either the adult or child group, nor was there a significant difference in subjective symptoms in the adult group based on the questionnaire. However, accommodative microfluctuation tended to increase after viewing in some subjects. Conclusions Under the conditions of this study, 3D image viewing did not influence visual function, or only very slightly influenced it, if at all, but there are many unknown problems, requiring further surveys using 3D image viewing.