Are virtual reality headsets bad for your eyes? – XR Today

Are virtual reality headsets bad for your eyes? As VR devices continue to gain popularity in both the consumer and business landscapes, many potential users are asking this question. After all, we’ve been told for years that “too much screen time” can cause eye strain, headaches, and more.

Our parents even warned us that sitting too close to the TV screen when we were little could cause all kinds of harm. So what happens when we place a pair of screens just inches in front of our eyes? The simple answer is that researchers are still trying to figure it out.

VR may have been around for decades at this point, but it’s really only just become a mainstream technology. As the virtual reality landscape evolves, affecting everything from collaboration to the way we train team members, should we be concerned about vision health?

Let’s take a look at the facts.

Are virtual reality headsets bad for your eyes? Grounds

Currently, the amount of research on VR headsets and their impact on vision is extremely limited. Only a handful of studies have appeared in the past two years, and the general consensus from researchers is that VR devices “may” cause eye problems, but it’s uncertain.

So why have so many optometrists raised concerns in recent years? The simple answer is that we already know that “digital eye strain” is a real issue. Over the years, countless eye experts and researchers have acknowledged that regular exposure to screens and digital devices can affect our vision. We are not sure if the effects are long term. However, increased use of screens can lead to a number of problems with headaches, blurred vision, watery eyes and fatigue.

Human beings are not designed to look at screens all day. These screens use a combination of technologies to present a clear image, but they also expose us to issues like glare, poor lighting, and fast refresh rates. Moreover, we often forget to close our eyes regularly when looking at a screen, which can gradually cause dry eyes.

The more we are exposed to “screen time”, the more we suffer from things like “Astenopia” (eyestrain), neck and shoulder pain, and even double vision.

Because of this, optometrists usually recommend increasing the distance between digital screens and your eyes. However, VR headsets require us to place the screens as close to our eyes as physically possible, which is when the concerns start to appear.

From digital eye strain to VR sickness

Ongoing research into digital eye strain, or “computer vision syndrome,” is just one of the reasons optometrists and consumers alike are asking, “Are virtual reality headsets bad for your eyes?” While researchers may not have much time to examine the direct link between VR and vision loss, many have examined the concept of VR disease.

We already know that spending too much time in VR can cause short- to medium-term side effects, many of which affect vision. VR sickness can lead to headaches and dizziness, difficulty maintaining balance, nausea, and more.

Although some of these side effects can affect your vision, for example, dizziness and blurred vision can often go hand in hand, it’s hard to know if VR sickness and eye problems are directly related. That said, many experts who offer recommendations on how to reduce VR sickness suggest “fixes” related to our vision.

For example, choosing a headset with high-quality displays is a good way to reduce VR sickness. Some of the more traditional VR headsets on the market typically use 2 LCD monitors, which is similar to placing two smartphones side by side in front of your eyes.

As mentioned above, your eyes are not designed to look closely at these screens. Usually, you have to work a lot harder to process all the information you’re seeing on a screen, which is why so many people suffer from eye strain and headaches.

Choosing headsets with minimal lag, higher refresh rates and better graphics can also reduce VR sickness. The less lag, flickering and distortion we see, the less our eyes are likely to suffer.

Are virtual reality headsets bad for your eyes today?

One thing worth noting is that most of the (limited) research on the impact of VR headsets on vision is a bit out of date. Many optometrists and experts are basing their concerns on evaluating how older headsets affect vision and cause VR sickness.

Today’s virtual reality headsets have come a long way in just a few years. Modern devices use more advanced, high-resolution screens with better refresh rates and pixel density, which helps reduce eye strain.

Additionally, VR innovators are investing in various ways to reduce VR sickness and common side effects from VR use. For example, we now have:

• Best Headphone Models: Manufacturers are constantly improving headphone designs to reduce eye strain and motion sickness. Most modern headsets have wider fields of view, blue light filters, better ergonomics and reduced lag.
• Customizable headphones: Many VR headsets allow users to customize certain aspects of their experience, such as “interpupillary distance” and screen brightness. This can help reduce eye strain. You can also use headphones with built-in lenses and corrective elements if you already have vision problems.
• Upgraded software: Application designers working on VR interfaces and solutions are using the technology to more effectively simulate depth and distance. This can actually help human eyes practice focusing at different distances.
• Raising awareness: As VR headsets become more common, there is a greater emphasis on educating users about safe and healthy use. Many VR manufacturers and executives offer tips on how to reduce eye strain and VR sickness. Adjusting your screen settings, being aware of pre-existing conditions, and taking regular breaks can reduce problems.

Could VR headsets be good for your eyes?

If we are trying to answer the question: “Are virtual reality headsets harmful to your eyes?” it makes sense to look at the debate from the other side as well. While there will always be people who suffer more when using virtual reality devices than others, VR headsets can also have health benefits.

Many pioneers in the world of virtual reality healthcare are creating programs and systems specifically designed to treat and correct certain vision issues.

Some programs are using VR systems to correct vision problems like “lazy eye” by training the eye muscles to focus on content at different distances. VR apps can also help improve hand-eye coordination, improve depth perception, and increase reaction speed.

VR apps can even help train optometrists and provide professionals with insight into the factors that contribute to vision loss, which can lead to the development of better treatment programs.

However, most leaders investing in VR to correct vision problems are focusing on adult patients. Although there is limited insight available into how virtual reality affects children’s vision, there is concern that excessive screen time may contribute to the progression of myopia in young people.

Plus, while adults using VR can monitor themselves and take breaks when needed, children may not have the knowledge or awareness to rest their eyes often enough.

How to Minimize the Eye Hazards of VR

Currently, there is very little evidence to suggest that the answer to the question “Are virtual reality headsets bad for your eyes?” it’s a definite yes. However, with any technology, overuse and misuse can often lead to negative side effects. The easiest way to reduce the risk of eye problems and motion sickness with VR, AR and MR headsets is to follow the instructions for use.

In other words, follow the advice of VR manufacturers and don’t use your headset for hours at a time, especially if you already have vision problems. Limit “screen time” and take regular breaks to rest your eyes. Adjust the display settings on your device (brightness, contrast and font size) for a more comfortable viewing experience.

Additionally, be sure to use blue light filters (when possible) to reduce eye strain. It also makes sense to make sure you’re customizing your headset, where possible, to include lenses that accommodate any vision problems you may have. Other quick tips include:

• Adjusting the IPD in your headphones to reduce strain
• Choosing a headset with high resolution and refresh rate
• flashes regularly when using your VR headset
• Continue with regular eye health appointments

Are virtual reality headsets bad for your eyes? Certainly not

Ultimately, concerns about the impact of VR on visual health are valid (especially when we acknowledge the issue of digital eye strain). However, the reality is that there are no clear links between VR technology and long-term eye problems. At worst, it appears that continuous or improper use of a VR headset can cause eye strain, fatigue, and some other short-term problems.

However, if you take the right precautions and take regular breaks, you can usually mitigate common problems. Additionally, as manufacturers continue to produce more advanced headsets with better displays, user experience-focused software, and ergonomic hardware, the risks will continue to decrease. The better our virtual reality headsets are at presenting content in a natural and eye-friendly format, the less eye strain we will experience.

While there’s no guarantee you won’t run into the occasional problem when using VR for collaboration or product design, there’s no evidence to suggest you should be too concerned. Your vision should be safe in the long run if you take the right precautions.