Stereoscopic 3D entertainment and its effect on viewing comfort: Comparison of children and adults

Children's and adults' viewing comfort during stereoscopic three-dimensional film viewing and computer game playing was studied. Certain mild changes in visual function, heterophoria and near point of accommodation values, as well as eyestrain and visually induced motion sickness levels were found when single setups were compared. The viewing system had an influence on viewing comfort, in particular for eyestrain levels, but no clear difference between two- and three-dimensional systems was found. Additionally, certain mild changes in visual functions and visually induced motion sickness levels between adults and children were found. In general, all of the system-task combinations caused mild eyestrain and possible changes in visual functions, but these changes in magnitude were small. According to subjective opinions that further support these measurements, using a stereoscopic three-dimensional system for up to 2 h was acceptable for most of the users regardless of their age.

► Eyestrain levels from S3D viewing are comparable for children and adults.
► The use of S3D media at least to 2 h is comfortable experience for most of the users.
► Changes in visual functions are similar in different age groups.
► Symptoms of visually induced motion sickness are rare, in particular with children.
► Changes in eyestrain, visual functions, and sickness levels are system dependent.