Explore the sickening effect that 3D movies have on audiences

Whenever a movie is released in 3D, advertisers use a lot of similar language. They’ll say you’ll never see movies the same way again, or they’ll say enter a world that feels real. When 3D glasses are put on the audience can experience every rise, dip, and pop-out moment, but it turns out that putting on 3D glasses make the effects of a movie more real than many would like.

Recently, the Italian ministry of health confiscated about 7,000 pairs of 3D movie glasses due to reports that they weren’t cleaned effectively between uses and could contribute to a number of short-term eye-sight problems.

A Movie So Real it Practically Reaches Out and Touches You!

Apparently some pro-active germs have taken this mantra a bit too seriously. A recent study by Good Housekeeping shows that many 3D glasses carry germs that cause skin infections, conjunctivitis, food poisoning, sepsis, and pneumonia.

The study tested wrapped and unwrapped glasses in seven theaters in the New York, New Jersey, and the Connecticut area. One pair of glasses housed bacteria that could cause dangerous staff infections. Doctors warn that nothing is ever completely sterile and that many of these germs can be found in theaters whether or not people are wearing 3d glasses.

What You Can Do

The report from Good Housekeeping advises theater goers that using alcohol wipes to clean glasses before use reduces the amount of germs found on the glasses by 95 percent. Washing your hands after using the glasses and before touching your face or food can also reduce the risk of getting sick.

Mind Blowing Excitement!

Many people leave 3D movies complaining of headaches and blurred vision, especially longer 3D movies. Headaches and blurred vision during and after 3D movies are usually symptoms of strained eyes. When an object moves towards someone their eyes converge (move inward) and follow the object’s path and also accommodate (change the lens shape) to keep the object in focus.

However, when watching a 3D movie, the audiences eyes try to follow the objects that move off the screen toward them their eyes converge and move inward to follow the object but can not accommodate and change the lens shape because the eyes stay focused on the screen, rather than the object. This unnatural movement often causes headaches and blurred vision.

A University of California Berkeley dubbed this effect “vergence accommodation conflict” and found that people in their 50’s and 60’s were less likely to experience side effects while younger people may struggle more.

What You Can Do

Most theaters with newer technology use a single projector to alternate between both the right-eye and left-eye images (as opposed to the old-fashioned approach of using two projectors) at a rate of 144 times per second. This minimizes the properties that caused headaches among viewers.

Older stereoscopic glasses (with one red and one blue lens) may also contribute to headaches, so finding a theater with new technology will help reduce your chances of coming out of the movie with a headache. Also, trying not to look at the unfocussed parts of the image may help keep headaches under control.

Feel the Action!

Following 3D action sequences can sometimes make the audience feel they’re taking every twist and turn, and sometimes they get motion sick from it. Movies done in 3D confuse the brain by tricking the inner ear into thinking the person is moving while the rest of body knows it is sitting still. When this confusion happens, people often experience motion sickness, headaches, and nausea.

What You Can Do

Looking away from the screen for a minute when you feel nauseous may help reduce your feelings of motion sickness. You can also take some motion sickness medication before going to see the movie.

The health care industry is full of interesting facts that relate to activities people do every day, like go to the movies. My Colleges and Careers is an excellent resource for more information on how to get involved in this, and other exciting industries.