The Pacific University College of Optometry gained attention in July, when a study conducted by faculty, in cooperation with researchers from Intel, found its way into the mainstream media.

The study identified the causes of visual and physical discomfort in some people when they watch 3D video content. Specifically, it found that 3D viewing leads to “a greater sense of object motion and motion of the viewer in space,” as well as “heightened visual and motion sickness symptoms. The symptoms tend to be more common in younger viewers, especially when they are closer to the screen.

Pacific’s optometric faculty and researchers are taking a global lead in studying the vision issues related to burgeoning 3D movie and game technology. The work is made possible, in part, by grants and partnerships with corporate supporters of the University.

The recent study was funded by a grant from Intel Corporation’s User Experience Research Group. Led by Shun-nan Yang, assistant professor of optometry and researcher in the University’s Vision Performance Institute, with assistance from fellow professors Scott Cooper O.D. ’09, Med ’93, and Jim Sheedy, the study also involved Intel researchers Tawny Schlieski, BGrent Selmins, Rina Doherty and Philip Corriveau.

In addition, support from Intel, THX and Nike helped the College of Optometry open the world’s first 3D Performance Eye Clinic in Beaverton in 2011.

“This clinic is a game-changer for ourselves, our children and our next generation,” Intel’s Corriveau said when the Beaverton facility opened last fall. “3D is here to stay, and it’s our job to leverage every possible aspect of that technology to solve vision problems.”