In our previous stereoscopic image for medical use research, we reported that observers found it is easier to identify target objects in stereoscopic images than in two dimensional images, however, we found that mental and visual fatigue levels are equivalent in viewing the stereoscopic and the two dimensional images. We reported that a number of users dislike the sensations accompanying stereoscopic vision. Hence, we studied personal variation of stereoscopic visibility and the training effect for the stereoscopic visibility in this research. Simulated images, in which prepared calcifications were arranged at parallactic angles between ±2° to ±15° at object heights from 40 to 80mm, were displayed on a stereoscopic 3D display. Seven observers were selected to judge the achievement of stereoscopic vision (stereopsis) and their visibility was determined. The observers were asked to point the stereoscopic cursor of the 3D mammography viewer at the simulated calcifications and the accuracy rates were determined. Subsequently, re-examination was implemented after 3D visual training for 15 to 20 minutes per day for two weeks, and the visibility and accuracy rates were measured again. We found individual differences in the parallactic angles at which stereopsis was realized. Moreover, the parallactic angles of stereopsis widened through training and the average visibility improved from 69% to 84% as the result of training. Furthermore, the average accuracy rates improved from 53% to 60% the accuracy of depth commands improved. This suggests that observers who are weak in stereoscopic vision can be trained to be better at stereoscopic viewing.
A stereoscopic viewing technology is expected to improve diagnostic performance in terms of reading efficiency by
adding one more dimension to the conventional 2D images. Although a stereoscopic technology has been applied to
many different field including TV, movies and medical applications, physiological fatigue through reading stereoscopic
radiographs has been concerned although no established physiological fatigue data have been provided. In this study,
we measured the α-amylase concentration in saliva, heart rates and normalized tissue hemoglobin index (nTHI) in blood
of frontal area to estimate physiological fatigue through reading both stereoscopic radiographs and the conventional 2D
radiographs. In addition, subjective assessments were also performed.
As a result, the pupil contraction occurred just after the reading of the stereoscopic images, but the subjective
assessments regarding visual fatigue were nearly identical for the reading the conventional 2D and stereoscopic
radiographs. The α-amylase concentration and the nTHI continued to decline while examinees read both 2D and
stereoscopic images, which reflected the result of subjective assessment that almost half of the examinees reported to feel
sleepy after reading. The subjective assessments regarding brain fatigue showed that there were little differences
between 2D and stereoscopic reading.
In summary, this study shows that the physiological fatigue caused by stereoscopic reading is equivalent to the
conventional 2D reading including ocular fatigue and burden imposed on brain.
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