Beaverton 3D Eye Clinic News

Since the announcement of the opening of the world's first 3D Eye Clinic, several news outlets have reported on the joint VPI/Pacific University/THX venture. Here are a handful of recent news links:

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/groundbreaking-3d-vision-eye-clinic-243239

http://www.oregonlive.com/argus/index.ssf/2011/10/pacific_opens_first_3d_vision.html

http://www.stereoscopynews.com/hotnews/history/market-a-trends/1901-worlds-first-3d-performance-eye-clinic.html

http://techland.time.com/2011/10/06/new-eye-clinic-to-solve-the-headache-of-3d-movies/

http://www.portlandtribune.com/metro_news/story.php?story_id=131778259226972400

http://3dguy.tv/the-first-ever-3d-eye-clinic/

http://www.cataract2.com/pacific-opens-first-3d-vision-performance-clinic.html

We hope to have photos of the new clinic posted soon, including some of the state-of-the-art equipment being used to diagnose and treat 3D vision problems.

Opening Date set for VPI/Pacific 3D Eye Clinic

It's official. Next week, on October 6th, the long-awaited joint VPI/Pacific University/Industry cutting-edge 3D Eye Clinic will open its doors. The clinic boasts a THX-certified 3D theater and optometrists on the cutting edge of 3D vision disorders. A handful of news releases are covering the story:

http://www.bigpicturebigsound.com/THX-Will-Certify-Your-Eyes-for-3D-TV.shtml

http://www.twice.com/article/474584-THX_Helps_Develop_3D_Eye_Clinic.php

We'll keep you updated with additional coverage of the event, including pictures and detailed information on what makes this clinic so unique.

A view inside the new 3D clinic. From http://www.bigpicturebigsound.com/artman2/uploads/3/Beaverton-PacificEye.jpg

2012 Olympics to be broadcast in 3D

Panasonic has announced a deal that will allow the London 2012 Olympics to be broadcast in 3D. Check out the news article below for more information.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/olympics/8733332/London-2012-Olympics-Games-to-be-broadcast-in-3D-for-up-to-10-hours-a-day.html

Links of interest

Some recent news articles of interest:

Biz says 3D safe for kids

Are your eyes ready for dual LCD monitor glasses?

Glasses-free TV watches your eyes, approaches 4K resolution

3D Eye Clinic to open soon

Pacific University's College of Optometry, in conjunction with efforts by the VPI, will soon be opening its optometry clinic equipped to diagnose and treat 3D vision problems, as well as a wide variety of other visual and eye conditions. The 3D Eye Clinic has been under development for several months, and will provide a unique blend of clinical and research applications to the management of 3D visual disorders. The clinic is located near the Intel campus in Beaverton, OR, and is expected to open in August 2011.

Can Harry Potter 3D help detect vision problems?

A recent news release by the UK Daily Mail Online quotes eye experts from the College of Optometrists in London, stating that watching 3D movies such as the newest Harry Potter film may help detect vision problems. You can read the news release by clicking here.

VPI director Jim Sheedy, OD, PhD has made similar statements regarding the potential for 3D technologies to aid in detection of vision abnormalities in children and adults.

First 3D Smartphone

Last week, Sprint released the first 3D smartphone. The HTC Evo 3D requires no glasses, and features a 3D display screen as well as stereo camera and video functionality. The user has the ability to toggle between 2D and 3D mode if desired. Reviews are overwhelmingly positive. The Evo 3D operates on a principle similar to that of the Nintendo 3DS display screen - user orientation is critical to viewing the 3D effects.

Some news reports speculate that a 3D tablet is now under development. What's next?

The new face of 3D

A recent BBC News article addresses the rise of 3D advertising, including cereal boxes, large-scale lenticular prints, holograms, etc. Worth checking out.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-13702953

Study finds 1 in 4 parents concerned about children's health and vision from watching 3D

A recent study conducted by VSP^® Vision Care found that 1 in four parents are concerned about their children's eye and vision health from watching 3D entertainment, in spite of the efforts by eye doctors and vision science researchers to reassure the public that 3D viewing will not harm the eyes.

The full VSP press release may be viewed at http://newsroom.vspglobal.com/pr/vsp/one-in-four-parents-concerned-204186.aspx

Vision and 3D Conference Presentations Available Online

The 2011 VPI Vision and 3D Research Conference proved a tremendous success, bringing together the latest in research from the 3D entertainment, vision science, and ophthalmic optics industries.

As a new feature, all presentations of the conference are available for viewing online through Pacific University Commons at http://commons.pacificu.edu/vpir/2011/

Feedback on presentations is invited and may be communicated through contact information found at www.visionperformance.org

3D Eye Health Online

The Vision Performance Institute has partnered with the 3D@Home consortium and the American Optometric Association to offer information online to the public about 3D eye and vision health. Check out the website at http://www.3deyehealth.org/

Additional information may be found on the VPI website on the fundamentals of 3D vision at http://www.pacificu.edu/optometry/research/basics/index.cfm, or more technical information on VPI 3D vision research studies at http://www.pacificu.edu/optometry/research/publications/index.cfm. The VPI main page can be accessed at www.visionperformance.org.

Alleviating 3D eyestrain... from the production end

A recent post on the Today3D Forum highlights some important steps taken in the production processes of 3D entertainment that play a role in reducing eyestrain. Check out the link here.

Even with poorly generated 3D entertainment, there appears to be wide variability in viewers' abilities to visually tolerate the virtual 3D experience. It remains to be seen what role clinical eye exams, targeted at identifying 3D vision difficulties, may play in the future acceptance of 3D entertainment by all.

The VPI is currently conducting a variety of research into We invite reader feedback on valid ideas for future research into the realm of vision and 3D.

3D images helped save Britain from Nazi missiles

In an interesting news release recently from the BBC, a documentary reveals how 3D (or stereo) imaging of Nazi territories helped the British identify and destroy the deadly missile launch bases. See the link below for more information on the complete story:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-13359064

Fifth Annual VPI Research Conference June 1-3

Next week, the Vision Performance Institute will host its annual research conference, with a focus this year on 3D vision and technology research. Several professional and industry representatives will present, including Rick Dean, senior vice president of THX and chairman of the 3D@Home Consortium, will discuss the 3D viewing experience and certification of 3D performance in the home. Phil Corriveau from Intel, chair of the Human Factors Steering Team, will speak about the user experience; and Dr, Michael Duenas from the American Optometric Association.

Several news articles discuss the research conference, and can be viewed at the following links:

http://www.pacificu.edu/news/detail.cfm?NEWS_ID=9834&CATEGORY_ID=106

http://www.wkrn.com/story/14725648/thx-shows-support-for-3d-research-at-pacific-universitys-vision-performance-institutes-vision-and-3d-conference?clienttype=printable

The 3D Scam?

This morning, a writer at ZDNet posted an article entitled The 3D Scam: Reject and Repeat . The author refers to the recent reintroduction of 3D movies, along with 3DTVs and 3D gaming systems, as a commercial ploy to convince consumers to pay more for marginal products. Is this really the case?

In fairness to the author, it is well recognized that many viewers have difficulty seeing or enjoying 3D entertainment, largely due to vision problems that can be detected and treated by an optometrist. Even among those who can "see" 3D, many are not able to fully appreciate the depth of the effect; a recent personal hobby in stereo photography has convinced me of this. Many acquaintances who view stereo photographs I have taken, when asked to reach out and "touch" certain objects in the photo while looking stereoscopically, place the virtual image much closer to the photograph than I do. What is the result? For these individuals, 3D loses much of its "wow" effect - the images just don't "jump out" at them the same way, and 3D technology doesn't carry the same value, monetarily or as entertainment.

My opinion on this all? There is no doubt that companies see the potential market for 3D entertainment as profitable - why else would they venture into it? But I, for one, perceive immense value in 3D displays - no 2D display, even of the highest quality, can carry the same effect that simulates the real world. It is one thing to watch football displayed on a flat surface, but quite another to perceive the hole in the defensive line nearly the same as the running back who rushes through it, or the immense length of a pass from the perspective of the receiver chasing it.

And as for the unbelievers and the unimpressed? Maybe they should have their eyes checked... if they could fully appreciate the depth of a good 3D scene, I'm convinced the scam theories would die down, and they would be as excited about this as the rest of us.


Dave

At-home screening test for 3D vision

Are you having trouble seeing 3D? Digital Life on MSNBC Today recently included an article written by Suzanne Kantra on an at-home screening examination for your 3D vision abilities (click here for the link to the article). 

The test requires only a piece of string and perhaps some optional beads. Although crude, the test describes the Brock string, one of the more classic tools used by optometrists in vision therapy for problems with converging or diverging the eyes. Of course, performing the test at home is not a substitution for a comprehensive eye exam by a licensed optometrist, but may be helpful as an initial indicator of your ability to view in 3D.

Regardless, any symptoms of headache, blur, eyestrain, or inability to see 3D entertainment should be addressed by a professional, who may be able to help you to appreciate 3D through either glasses or visual training. The VPI continues to be a leader in research in this particular area, discovering and publishing the best methods of detecting and treating computer and 3D vision disorders.

New study on dynamic visual acuity method opened by VPI

The Vision Performance Institute recently opened a new study for participant enrollment. The Dyops™ 2 study follows up an earlier study (Dyops™ 1) exploring the effectiveness of a new method of measuring visual acuity, developed by Allan Hytowitz in conjunction with the VPI. Dyops™ (short for "dynamic optotype") is a computer-based recognition acuity system that is unique in using motion (the segmented ring rotates) detection in the acuity measurement. 


Results from earlier studies indicate that the novel Dyops™ acuity system may offer a more accurate determination of acuity threshold than some conventional methods of measuring visual acuity. In addition, the Dyops™ system has the distinct advantage of avoiding language and educational barriers; the individual being tested needs only to identify whether or not the ring is moving - a helpful tool in increasingly culturally diverse clinical, school, and hospital settings.


If you are interested in learning more about the Dyops™ acuity system, please visit www.dyop.org.

Nintendo 3DS - Can it help detect eye problems?

Much ado has been made of Nintendo's warning issued several months ago regarding use of the new 3DS handheld gaming system by young children. The essence of the warning is that children under 6 years old should not use 3D mode on the 3DS, or risk potentially harming their developing visual system.

Eyecare experts across the country disagree, claiming that normal use of the 3DS should have no negative impact on visual development, even in the youngest children. In fact, Dr. Michael Duenas of the American Optometric Association feels the 3DS may actually help detect vision problems in children that frequently go undetected by pediatricians, such as amblyopia (lazy eye) and strabismus (small deviations in the direction an eye points). In older children and adults who experience eyestrain after use of 3D media, the 3DS could help identify more subtle vision problems like convergence insufficiency.

However, kids still shouldn't get carried away. Dr. Jim Sheedy, OD, PhD, of the Vision Performance Institute, says, “Is there a limit on how much a child should be viewing 3-D? Yeah. How much is it? I don’t know. Let’s use some sound judgment." 


Dr. Sheedy reminds parents that the top health concern with video gaming in kids is still obesity and physical inactivity.

“Kids should be out running around,” he said.

VPI Media Coverage

 
The Vision Performance Institute, in conjunction with our membership in the 3D@Home Consortium alongside the American Optometric Association, has been the subject of a number of recent media articles. Check out the links below to learn more about it!

http://www.visionmonday.com/ViewContent/tabid/211/content_id/27233/catId/103/Default.aspx

http://www.hughsnews.ca/aoa-and-3dhome-consortium-focus-on-3d-viewing-0019339

http://multivu.prnewswire.com/mnr/aoa/49017/

http://displaydaily.com/2011/03/16/aoa-and-3d-home-join-hands-to-promote-vision-health/

http://www.wthr.com/story/14260952/the-american-optometric-association-and-3dhome-consortium-sign-memorandum-of-understanding

http://www.bradenton.com/2011/03/16/3037275/the-american-optometric-association.html

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/The-American-Optometric-prnews-55574628.html?x=0&.v=1

VPI Founder discusses 3D vision and discomfort

In a recent news video release by the American Academy of Optometry, Dr. James E. Sheedy, founder and director of the Vision Performance Institute, discusses some of the visual problems associated with 3D entertainment and what can be done to solve them.

Experiencing discomfort watching 3D? Come to our 3D Vision Clinic!

Do you experience visual discomfort while viewing 3D entertainment? If so, you're not alone. With the recent spread of 3D entertainment and technology, an increasing number of Americans are complaining of visual discomfort when seeing in virtual 3D, including dizziness, seeing double, and general feelings of eyestrain. It has been estimated that as many as 25% of 3D viewers have experienced these symptoms. 

What causes 3D discomfort? It may stem from a problem with your visual system, which can be tested for and treated by eye doctors trained in optometry. The VPI has recently made plans to open a clinic specializing in the treatment of 3D visual discomfort in Beaverton, OR, in the summer of 2011. This clinic will feature some of the latest technologies in diagnosing and treating visual problems, as well as real-time measurements of eye movements and focusing during in-office 3D viewing. 

More posts will follow on our 3D clinic as we progress toward the anticipated opening date in early June!

New Webpage

The VPI is proud to announce a refurbished presence on the World Wide Web. We will continue to update our web page with publications and information for both professionals and public alike.

www.visionperformance.org