Samsung, a manufacturer of TV equipped with the 3-D feature has indicated that 3-D TV is hazardous to human health although the firm is expected to sell about four million ‘three-dimensional’ televisions this year.

“Some viewers may experience an epileptic seizure or stroke when exposed to certain flashing images or lights contained in certain television pictures or video games.

"If you or any of your relatives has a history of epilepsy or strokes, please consult with a medical specialist before using the 3D function,” the company warned viewers in its 3-D manuals.

Watching 3-D pictures can cause: altered vision; lightheadedness; dizziness; involuntary movements such as eye or muscle twitching; confusion; nausea; loss of awareness; convulsions; cramps; and/or disorientation.

Symptoms

Viewers, who experience the above symptoms, while watching 3-D pictures, are advised by Samsung to stop watching immediately and consult a specialist.

Children and teenagers are more than likely to encounter the aforementioned health symptoms thus, parents are advised to monitor and ask their children how they feel when watching 3-D pictures, Samsung hinted.

In order to feel the 3-D picture effect on a TV, 3-D active glasses are required.

The TV transmits data to the active glasses and the glasses, in turn, convert the images to three-dimensional picture for viewing.

Therefore, an image/ event viewed on 3-D television with the active glasses on, feels like a real event.

“It feels like you are part of the event or its happening right in front of you. You don’t feel like you watching a television - once you were the glasses,” Isaac, a support specialist with Samsung told this AfricaNews reporter on Wednesday.

Again, Samsung warned that wearing the active glasses for a prolong length of time may cause headache or fatigue and that people that have a different prescription in both their eyes may not notice the 3-D effect on a TV at all.

The advisory further stated that, the 3-D active glasses should not be worn as ordinary glasses other than for its intended purpose – otherwise, it may physically harm or weaken ones sight.

Because some 3-D pictures have the potential to startle some viewers: pregnant women, the elderly, epileptic and people with serious medical conditions should refrain from using the 3-D on their TV sets, the warnings continued.

Furthermore, Samsung also warned that: “If you have been drinking liquor, we do not recommend that you watch 3-D.”