26/03/2010

The alarm sounded in recent days on the dangers of 3D glasses has not intimidated audiences, who over the March 21-23 weekend led Tim Burton’s Alice in Wonderland to the top of the box office with over €3m grossed.

Following a request by consumers association Codacons, on March 15 the Consiglio Superiore di Sanità (Higher Health Council) expressed its (non-binding) opinion that using 3D glasses to watch films could cause problems such as nausea, dizziness and migraines for children under the age of six.

Minister of Health Ferruccio Fazio sent a bulletin to film exhibitors, suggesting that audiences be guaranteed information that using 3D glasses is contraindicated for children and that the use by adults be limited, to no longer than the duration of one film.

Worried about the negative effects this could have at the box office, ANICA, the umbrella organisation for the Italian film industry, has asked for an "open and objective discussion" before taking any definitive decisions. They further urge all those involved "to find the best solution for businesses, but above all for audiences, who really like the new technology and because of it have started returning to the cinema again".

Everyone was calmed by the Society of Ophthalmologists, which emphasised that there is no danger for parents and children.

(Translated from Italian)