WHERE TO SIT AT THE "MOVIES"

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3050, 11 April 1917, Page 3

WHERE TO SIT AT THE "MOVIES"

In the current number of the "British Medical Journal" an eminent London eye specialist writes in detail on "Kineniatograph Displays and Children's Eyes." He explains that in this direction the effect of the picture theatre may he very bad; and the best way of minimising its ill-effeot is by shortening tho duration, of the shows,and preventing children from going to them too often. He also makes the very interesting point that some of the eye-strain caused by moving pictures varies according to the position occupied by the observer in relation to the screen.. "The 'optimum' position (he writee)' is as nearly as possible in a line with the centre of the screen, and as far away from the screen as thrice its full height. In this position and at such a distance the pioture appears more natural than in any other. If the observer is too near, all the defects of the film are exaggerated and the movements of head and eyes to cover the field of the screen are fatiguing. If the observer is too far to one side of the centre of the screen the distortion of the image thrown on the screen is great. If the observer is too far away from the screen the effort of concentration to catch the drift of the ehow is exaggerated." Here are some "tips" which may perhaps be applied with advantage by the adult victim of the picture-theatre habit who has discovered, that a debauch is often paid -for by definite eyestrain. Unhappily, in most of the picture theatres that we have ever seen there has been quite enough difficulty in finding a scat at all—so that even given tho desire, to manoeuvre for "the optimum position" the opportunities for securing it seem rather small.