This was an article I wrote on 3 D Vision Syndrome for therapists who visit the PediaStaff webpage.

1. 3D Vision Syndrome: What Your Clients Should Know
Hello There, Guest! (Login or Apply
Now)
Home About Us Job Seekers Employers Resources Blog Contact Us
3D Vision Syndrome: What Your Clients Should Know Search
Posted on January 11, 2011 by Heidi
Like 4 Pages
About Us
Five Reasons to Read
By: Dominick M. Maino, OD, MEd, FAAO, FCOVD-A the PediaStaff Blog
What is 3D Vision Syndrome? Archives
February 2011 (20)
3D Vision Syndrome (3DVS) has all the required qualifications for a new but not yet officially recognized syndrome. As
January 2011 (64)
you know, a syndrome is comprised of a group of symptoms and/or physical signs that collectively December 2010 (66)
indicate or
November 2010 (79)
characterize a disease, psychological problem, other abnormal condition or, in this case, a functional vision disorder.
October 2010 (69)
3DVS symptoms include but are not necessarily limited to headaches, blurred vision, eyestrain, double vision,2010 (65)
September
dizziness/nausea and vision induced motion sickness. Another unique aspect of this syndrome is that it is 2010 (49)
August induced by
state of the art entertainment, gaming, and educational technology. July 2010 (52)
June 2010 (33)
May 2010 (40)
How many people experience discomfort while watching 3D? April 2010 (58)
The US Census Bureau notes that there are 310,553,072 people in the USA and 6,890,416,942 inMarch 2010 (56) 2-
the world. Since
February 2010 (34)
6% of the population exhibit either amblyopia or strabismus millions upon millions could have 3D Vision Syndrome and
January 2010 (31)
the many symptoms associated with this disorder (amblyopia is a ‘lazy eye’ where the clarity of vision is typically much
better in one eye than the other and strabismus is when an eye is turned in, out, up or down). Both amblyopia and
strabismus can totally disrupt the 3D viewing process. This would mean that no appreciation of 3D would occur. Our
clients and their families often pay a premium price for seeing 3D movies, watching 3D television and playing 3D video-
games. Since a person with amblyopia and strabismus could not see the 3D affect, that would make these activities
quite expensive with no benefit to the viewer.
Other vision problems that could detract from using 3D content include Convergence Insufficiency (1-25% of the
population with median prevalence of 7%), Convergence Excess (7%), Divergence problems (.03-.1 %),
Accommodative/Focusing problems (variable population estimates) and other learning related vision problems (2-10%).
(From AOA Optometric Clinical Practice Guidelines http://www.aoa.org/x4813.xml for additional information go to
http://www.COVD.org and http://www.MainosMemos.blogspot.com )
What type of 3D content tends to create the most problems?
When various media not originally meant for 3D are reformatted or converted from their original 2D many more
individuals seem to have an unpleasant experience. It should also be noted that the appropriate placement of the
object of interest (i.e. the actor) on the screen is important as well. You normally want the ‘center of attention’ at the
distance of the actual screen and not being perceived as in front of or behind the screen. Where you sit in the theater
or at home also plays a role. You should usually try to sit in the middle of the theater and not too near or far from the
screen. Finally, of course, if you have any of the functional vision problems noted above, it will not make much
difference where you sit or how the 3D content was produced; because you will not like what you see any way!
If your clients experience 3D Vision Syndrome, what should you recommend?
The very first thing that should be recommended is a comprehensive eye and vision evaluation to make sure that your
patient does not need glasses and their eyes are healthy. This initial evaluation should also determine if any functional
vision problems are present. If your patient sees clearly and the eyes are healthy, but functional vision problems are
suspected; a visual efficiency evaluation is often scheduled with a developmental optometrist. (Developmental
optometrists who have been certified in this area can be located at the College of Optometrists in Vision Development
http://www.pediastaff.com/blog/3d-vision-syndrome-what-your-clients-should-know-2472[2/7/2011 6:32:15 PM]

2. 3D Vision Syndrome: What Your Clients Should Know
website using the Doctor Locator tab.) The visual efficiency evaluation should then determine if there are any functional
vision problems present. The doctor will often suggest Optometric Vision Therapy to treat any disorders diagnosed.
What is Optometric Vision Therapy?
The American Optometric Association notes that, “[Optometric] Vision therapy, also called vision training/orthoptics, is
an individualized program of procedures used to improve or correct vision problems. It involves a series of treatments
during which carefully planned procedures are carried out by the patient under professional supervision in order to
improve vision skills such as eye movement control, eye focusing and coordination, and the teamwork of the two eyes.?
The College of Optometrists in Vision Development (COVD) states: Optometric Vision Therapy is:
A progressive program of vision procedures
Performed under doctor supervision
Individualized to fit the visual needs of each patient
Generally conducted in-office, in once or twice weekly sessions of 30 minutes to an hour
Occasionally supplemented with procedures done at home between office visits
Depending on the case, the procedures are prescribed to:
Help clients develop or improve fundamental visual skills and abilities
Improve visual comfort, ease, and efficiency
Change how a patient processes or interprets visual information
COVD stresses that Optometric Vision Therapy (OVT) is not just ‘Eye Exercises’ and is not to strengthen eye muscles.
OVT retrains the brain so that your visual system can provide you with single, clear, comfortable, two-eyed vision. It
should not be confused with any self-directed program of eye exercises which is or has been marketed to the public.
Optometric vision therapy is supported by ongoing evidence-based scientific research. The latest research supporting
optometric vision therapy includes National Institutes of Health, National Eye Institute randomized, double blind and
placebo controlled studies.
How will having 3D Vision Syndrome affect school performance?
Learning related vision problems usually are not the primary cause of academic problems but are often a secondary
cause. If you have 3DVS and all of its associated symptoms, it will literally hurt when the teacher uses that 3D
experience in a classroom to teach. If it hurts we tend not to do it. If your patient cannot use this technology in the
classroom to learn as the other students do, he or she will probably fall behind his or her peers.
What will be the leading application for 3D content in the future?
I would like to see 3D content used as a part of a world-wide public health vision screening tool. This is a major
opportunity for the 3D Entertainment-Education-Techno-Industrial-Complex to work with optometry for the benefit of
the consumer. If done wisely, companies such as SONY, Panasonic, Samsung, and even Disney can use this new
technology as a public health screening for the presence of binocular vision dysfunction in the general population. The
good news is that functional vision problems associated with 3D Vision Syndrome can be treated effectively and that
this treatment lasts.
The use of 3D in the classroom will expand significantly. It will become more important than ever that students have
single, clear, comfortable, and binocular (two eyed) vision. Students that have poor binocular vision will be at a major
disadvantage. In the not too distant future, we may even begin to see 3D realistic holographic images in the middle of
our living rooms! (Think Star Trek holodeck.)
How will 3D change the way we do things?
It is very likely that in the future we will learn by manipulating 3D images in real space so that visual motor abilities,
good depth perception skills, and all the other aspects of vision that support binocularity will become critical for success
in all we do at work, school, and play. Those with difficulties seeing in 3D will be at a major disadvantage.
http://www.pediastaff.com/blog/3d-vision-syndrome-what-your-clients-should-know-2472[2/7/2011 6:32:15 PM]

3. 3D Vision Syndrome: What Your Clients Should Know
What about the warnings from Nintendo and other 3D Content Providers?
In a recent news release the American Optometric Association says,
“It is not enough to have 20/20 visual acuity. Eye muscles must be coordinated well enough to experience single, clear
and comfortable vision by maintaining alignment of both eyes. The brain must also match appropriate focusing power
with where the eyes are aimed. Often, subtle problems can lead to rapid fatigue of the eyes and loss of 3D viewing, but
also loss of place when reading or copying, reduced reading comprehension, poor grades and increased frustration at
school. Difficulties with appreciating 3D in movies, TV and Nintendo’s 3DS, or discomfort when engaging in these
activities may be an important sign of undetected vision disorders. Parents should be aware that current vision
screening technologies employed in schools and pediatricians’ offices cannot substitute for comprehensive eye
examinations that detect and treat these problems.”
And that “Nintendo has issued a warning that children under 6 should not use the 3DS in 3D mode. While studies on
the effects of prolonged 3D viewing on young children remain to be done, leaning toward the side of caution is
advisable in guiding children to use these devices in moderation”. children younger than 6 can use the 3DS in 3D mode
if their visual system is developing normally.”
The bottom line here is that parents should follow the AOA and the American Public Health Association (APHA)
recommendations that encourage a comprehensive eye examination for all children at approximately age 6-12 months,
2-3 years, and by 5 years of age. I recommend that vision examinations should be scheduled yearly until the child no
longer attends school. Unfortunately the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that less than 15%
of all preschool children receive a comprehensive eye examination
If your clients experience the “3Ds of 3D viewing” Discomfort, Dizziness, or lack of Depth it is crucial to have a
comprehensive eye examination by a doctor of optometry as soon as possible.
Resources for Additional Information and Doctors who can Help
For a great introduction to 3D Vision Syndrome see the AOA Video at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=oDcJz8YKWm0
No cost vision assessments are available for children 6-12 months of age through the AOA’s InfantSee program.
A presentation that discusses the treatment of an individual with 3D Vision Syndrome can be accessed on SlideShare.
American Optometric Association: http://www.AOA.org
College of Optometrists in Vision Development: http://www.COVD.org
Optometric Extension Program Foundation: http://www.OEPF.org
Neuro-Optometric Rehabilitation Association: http://www.NORA.cc
MainosMemos: http://www.MainosMemos.blogspot.com
http://www.Visiontherapy.org
Optometrists Network: http://www.Optometrists.org
Children with Special Needs: http://www.Children-special-needs.org
All About Vision: http://www.Allaboutvision.com/parents/vi…herapy.htm
The scientific basis for and efficacy of optometric vision therapy: http://www.hartlandeyecare.com/clients/1…
http://www.pediastaff.com/blog/3d-vision-syndrome-what-your-clients-should-know-2472[2/7/2011 6:32:15 PM]

4. 3D Vision Syndrome: What Your Clients Should Know
IS_FOR.pdf
Vision 3D: Vision3d.com
Research that supports Optometric Vision Therapy:
http://www.Visiontherapy.org/vision-ther…udies.html
http://www.Covd.org/Home/ResearchWhitePa…fault.aspx
Journals
Optometry & Vision Development: http://www.Covd.org/Home/OVDJournal/tabi…fault.aspx
Journal of Behavioral Optometry: http://www.OEPF.org/jbo/index.php?pid=journals
International Resources
International and Australasian College of Behavioural Optometrists, European Society of Optometrists, Danish
Optometric Association, Congresso Mexicano de Optometria Funcional, and the British Association of Behavioural
Optometrists
This Week’s Featured Author:Dr. Dominick Maino, OD, MEd, FAAO, FCOVD-A
Dr. Dominick Maino is a Professor of Pediatrics/Binocular Vision at the Illinois Eye Institute/Illinois College of Optometry
in Chicago, Il and an Adjunct Professor of Pediatrics at the Centro de Optometria in Madrid, Spain and is in private
practice in Harwood Heights, Il. (Northwest Optometric Associates. He currently serves as the American Optometric
Association’s spokesperson on 3D Vision Syndrome and is an internationally recognized expert on eye and vision
problems of children and those with developmental disability. He is the editor of Optometry & Vision Development, the
official journal of the College of Optometrists in Vision Development. His other interests include music (sings tenor and
plays trumpet in his church choir) and photography. He has exhibited his photography at the Cook County Treasurer’s
Office Chicago, the Italian Cultural Center at Casa Italia, Nine2Five Gallery in Kansas City and the Gallery ABBA in
Wisconsin. He is also the webmaster for his choir’s website, his private practice website and various blogs. His latest
book on the vision problems of patients with special needs will be published by Lippincott in 2012.
This entry was posted in OT, Psych and tagged 14 January 2011, Article, Newsletter, Visual Perception. Bookmark the permalink.
← Babies Process Language In A Grown-Up Way Software Product Review: Imagine Speech →
Leave a Reply
Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *
Connect with Facebook
Name *
Email *
Website
Comment
http://www.pediastaff.com/blog/3d-vision-syndrome-what-your-clients-should-know-2472[2/7/2011 6:32:15 PM]

5. 3D Vision Syndrome: What Your Clients Should Know
You may use these HTML tags and attributes: <a href="" title=""> <abbr title=""> <acronym title=""> <b> <blockquote cite=""> <cite> <code>
<del datetime=""> <em> <i> <q cite=""> <strike> <strong>
Post Comment
Full Jobs Listing | Policy | Terms and Conditions | Contact Us
Copyright © 2009 PediaStaff
Proudly powered by WordPress.
http://www.pediastaff.com/blog/3d-vision-syndrome-what-your-clients-should-know-2472[2/7/2011 6:32:15 PM]