Watching 3-D movies like “Avatar” can make you physically ill.
After the recent release of James Cameron’s epic, “Avatar,” which has already grossed over $1.3 billion world-wide and been hailed by many as having changed the movie industry, there has been broad speculation that the world of entertainment is moving toward 3-D production.
A Northwestern University professor says that this might not be such a good idea. Dr. Michael A. Rosenberg, a professor of Ophthalmology in Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine, has been widely quoted warning against the dangers of 3-D films. Watching a movie like Cameron’s technological epic, “Avatar” – a 162-minute, 3-D extravaganza – has the potential to cause headaches and nausea in a large percentage of the population.
“When we look at an object, the image in both eyes is displaced slightly,” Rosenberg said. “In the 3-D movies the same thing happens, but the images are displaced more so, and at a slightly different angle.”
This news comes at a time when “Avatar” continues to pull in viewers, achieving the highest-grossing fourth weekend of all time and the second highest-grossing film after Cameron’s “Titanic.” Other 3-D films, such as “A Christmas Carol” and “Cloudy With A Chance Of Meatballs,” have also drawn in large audiences, while eagerly anticipated 3-D movies like “Alice In Wonderland,” “Toy Story 3” and “Shrek Forever After” are set to be released this year.
The 3-D technology is slated to be incorporated in other media as well. Sony recently announced that 3-D movies will be compatible with its popular “Playstation 3” console later this year, along with a range of 3-D-enabled televisions.
Rosenberg said that the negative effects of watching 3-D movies are not permanent. The headaches are not caused by the eyes themselves, but by the unnatural conditions in which the three dimensional image is projected.
“The displacement is proportional to how much the image ‘jumps out’ at you,” he said. “With increased displacement, the mind needs much more effort to fuse the pictures together.”
Even those without vision problems are not immune.
“If someone is not perfectly corrected, in normal circumstances, the effect doesn’t show up; but in 3-D movies, it will,” Rosenberg said. “The amount of processing and concentration the brain will need to produce the image will cause headache and nausea.”
Rosenberg recently witnessed a negative 3-D reaction first-hand.
“My wife felt sick halfway through Avatar and took her 3-D glasses off,” he said. “She put them on when the nausea subsided and was alright in the end.”
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If movies aren't your thing, how about some football? Or you can return home.
Nobody I’ve talked to ever felt any nausea or headaches from 3D movies. I doubt that it’s actually “a large percentage of the population” that feels ill.
Zookeeper
January 13, 2010 at 11:09 pm
both time i have watched avatar, one in 3d in a normal theater and one in iMax, i’ve gotten bad headaches… it happens bro
xD
studentt
January 14, 2010 at 1:08 am
I think this whole world needs a wambulance. toughen up people.
Jerry
January 14, 2010 at 1:19 am
It’s time technology make 3D without glasses including 360 degree images.
Peter
January 14, 2010 at 2:14 am
at school board
abbie
January 14, 2010 at 7:43 am
i have seen avatar 2 and me mam has seen it 3 times it mint it dopnt make you ill!!!!!!!
abbie
January 14, 2010 at 7:44 am
I could only speak from personal experience, but I’ve never felt that way after watching a 3D spectacle. It takes a few minutes for me to adjust, but once I do it’s a pleasant experience (if the movie doesn’t suck).
JRM
January 14, 2010 at 4:50 pm
I agree with you
Movie really sucks
Chinese
January 16, 2010 at 4:27 am
It did makes me feel very sick, but it was completely worth it!
I’m going back to watch it again!
Frida
January 16, 2010 at 12:06 pm
what is it about humanity that requires everything enjoyable to be labeled as potentially hazardous?
Will Fitz
January 16, 2010 at 5:53 pm
dumb story
Andrew
January 16, 2010 at 9:41 pm
I loved the movie, but hated the 18 hours of nausea I experienced following this 3D experience. It happens to me on rides at amusement parks, as well. I guess it’s Dramamine before the movies now, too
Tony Terzi
January 18, 2010 at 3:58 pm
Re:Watching 3-D movies like “Avatar” can make you physically ill. » North by Northwestern
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Jenna
January 18, 2010 at 5:19 pm
I could only watch 1 hour of Avatar yesterday–I felt really nauseous. Too bad, cause that hour cost 12 bucks.
Kathy
February 8, 2010 at 12:07 pm
3D DOES HURT MANY PEOPLE AND IT IS VERY DANGEROUS AND WILL WRECK CINEMA FOR EVER. THE ONLY REASON STUDIOS ARE DOING THIS IS BECAUSE THE OVERRATED AVATAR HAD A LOT OF SUCCESS WITH BRAINLESS PEOPLE AND IN RETURN THEY ARE PUTTING OUT 3D MOVIES BECAUSE THE TICKETS COST MORE AND SO THEY CAN MAKE BILLIONS OF DOLLARS. 3D IS A BAD IDEA AND IS VERY ANNOYING AVATAR IS A HORRIBLE UNORIGINAL PIECE OF TRASH ONE OF THE WORST FILMS EVER MADE! EVERYONE WATCH FERN GULLY INSTEAD AT LEAST YOU’LL SAVE YOUR MONEY AND A HEADACHE!
mike
February 10, 2010 at 5:56 pm
I fear that 3D will become overused. I feel that it is silly and distracting and cheapens a film. Think about the wonderful classic films that have survived the test of time and imagine them in 3D. No No No!
Donna
March 7, 2010 at 10:42 pm