Autostereoscopic 3D viewing can change the dimensions of the crystalline lens in myopes

Autostereoscopic displays have become increasingly common, but their impact on ocular dimensions remains unknown. We sought to identify changes in the crystalline lens dimensions induced by autostereoscopic three-dimensional (3D) viewing.

Forty young adults (age: 22.6 ± 2.0 years, male/female: 15/25) were consecutively enrolled and randomly divided into two groups (3D and two-dimensional [2D] viewing groups) to watch a 30-min movie clip displayed in 3D or 2D mode on a tablet computer. The lens thickness (LT), diameter, curvature, decentration and tilt were measured with anterior segment optical coherence tomography under both non-accommodating (static) and accommodating conditions.

In the static condition, the LT decreased by 0.03 ± 0.03 mm (p < 0.001) and the anterior radius of curvature (ARC) increased by 0.49 ± 0.59 mm (p = 0.001) post-3D viewing. In contrast, following 2D viewing, the ARC decreased by 0.23 ± 0.25 mm (p = 0.001). Additionally, the increase in the steep ARC post-3D viewing was greater in high-myopic eyes than low to moderate myopic eyes (p = 0.04). When comparing the accommodative with the static (non-accommodative) condition, for 3D viewing the lens decentration decreased (-0.03 ± 0.05 mm, p = 0.02); while for 2D viewing, the posterior curvature radius (-0.14 ± 0.20 mm, p = 0.006) and diameter (-0.13 ± 0.20 mm, p = 0.01) decreased.

Viewing with the autostereoscopic 3D tablet could temporally decrease the thickness and curvature of the lens under non-accommodating conditions. However, its long-term effect requires further exploration.