American cinematographer (Jan-Dec 1926)

Six AMERICAN CINEMATOORAPHER September, 1926 Exje Strain in Cinema Theatres? is Motion pictures do not injure the eyes, vision experts of both America and England find, according to the Eye Sight Conservation Council of America in a report summarizing investigations. No definite reports of any specific harm or injurious effect, and but few complaints of inconveniences are disclosed. "This leads to the conclusion," says the Council, "that under favorable conditions, moving pictures do not cause serious eye fatigue. "Another important reason for this is the fact that viewing motion pictures is distance vision which does not demand the degree of effort or strain in the use of the eyes as would be involved for near vision." Recommendation Illuminating engineers of London have formulated certain recommendations in regard to the position of the seats with respect to the screen. These engineers found that eyestrain results when the eyes of spectators are directed upward at an abnormal angle due to the ciose proximity of seats to the screen. Seats, the London experts hold, should not be too far to the side, as such position constitutes a possible source of eyestrain. One serious cause of eyestrain, they discovered, is flicker or jerkiness of movement caused by the faulty mechanism of the projecting apparatus. Scratches on old film, faulty operation, as well as imperfect apparatus should be eliminated, it was said. Special precautions are urged when portable machines are used for exhibitions before English school children. The London engineers recommend that general illumination of the theatres should be properly distributed and of as high intensity as possible without interfering with the display of the pictures. Efficiency of Eye For many years a series of experiments have been carried on to determine the efficiency of the eye under different conditions of lighting. "The effect of motion pictures on the eye indicates," the Illuminating Engineering Society of New York reported, "that while the eyes are strained a great deal by the observa Commission Makes a Special Investigation and Summarizes Findings ; Eyes Are Safe tion of moving pictures, even in the better moving pictures houses, they are damaged little more by that, in all probability, than they are by reading steadily the same length of time under the greater part of the lighting that is now in actual use." While it is evident, the Eye Sight Conservation Council points out, that motion pictures may cause eyestrain, the reason is usually traceable to prolonged concentration of the eye, defective eyesight, position of the observer, faulty general illumination, or poor films, bad projection, faulty operation. All of these conditions, it was declared, are avoidable. "Prolonged concentration of the eye," said the Council's report, "is not a fault of motion pictures, although it is most likely to follow because of intense interest created by the picture. Long continued use of the eyes for any purpose will cause eyestrain. Rest Periods "Usually in the ordinary uses of the eyes at work or reading, frequent rest periods are unconsciously provided due either to a lack of the power to concentrate or to surrounding influences, interruptions, etc. Observers should avail themselves of every opportunity that is offered to rest their eyes during a display. Defective Eyes "In all probability most of the complaints of eyestrain from viewing motion pictures are due to defective eyes. Resulting headaches or other annoying discomforts are likely to be indications that the eyes should be examined and defective vision corrected. "Observers should not sit too close to the screen. The minimum distance depends upon the height of the picture from the level of the line of vision and ordinarily the distance of the observer from the screen should not be less than twenty or thirty feet. Distortion "The distortion noticeable in the picture when viewed from seats placed too far to the side is likely to be annoying. The best position to view motion pictures is directly in (Continued on Page 26)