On the eve of the unveiling of US launch details for the 3DS handheld console, the American Academy of Ophthalmology has been casting an eye over Nintendo’s 3D health warning.
Reading between the eye-chart lines, the AAO appears to suggest the Japanese console maker is being a mite too cautious in suggesting parents should prevent children under six from viewing 3D images on the new device for prolonged periods.
The world’s largest association of eye doctors and surgeons, with more than 29,000 members globally, says there are no conclusive studies to date on the short- or long-term effects of 3D digital products in children’s visual development.
“Nor are there persuasive, conclusive theories on how 3D digital products could cause damage in children with healthy eyes,” it adds.
“The development of normal 3D vision in children is stimulated as they use their eyes in day-to-day social and natural environments, and this development is largely complete by age three years.”
However, the AAO says children with eye conditions such as amblyopia (an imbalance in the strength of vision between two eyes) and strabismus (misaligned eyes) would have difficulty seeing 3D images and would be more likely to experience headaches and/or eye fatigue.
Thus, the 3DS could even help to diagnose such conditions, the association suggests:
“If a healthy child consistently develops headaches or tired eyes or cannot clearly see the images when using 3D digital products, this may indicate a vision or eye disorder. If such problems occur, the Academy recommends that the child be given a comprehensive exam by an ophthalmologist.”
The 3DS goes on sale in Japan at the end of February and in the US in March, with full details on price and launch titles due to be unveiled at an event in New York on Wednesday.
