Technological advancements have made virtual reality much more accessible to the general public in recent years. The global VR market in gaming is now worth $22.42 billion, with a CAGR of 16.5% through 2033. As more industries adopt VR and competition allows different brands to lower costs, new consumers and existing hobbyists alike can expect immersion and updates at an unprecedented level. One hundred seventy-one million people already use VR tech, so you can imagine how much more will get into it now that more platforms, software, and games are adding compatibility. Even extremely in-demand titles like Honkai Star Rail have jumped on the bandwagon, releasing an augmented-reality mode for Apple’s spatial computer eyewear. If you think now is the time to hop aboard the VR train, ensure you take care of your eye health and safety with these headset tips.
Using VR when you need vision correction
For the best VR experience, you’ll want to ensure you have the clearest vision for your headset of choice. Aside from making tweaks to match your preferences, this comes down to whether or not you need vision correction. If you wear glasses, it’s best to keep them on if you have a headset that accommodates this comfortably. Meta and Oculus headsets, in particular, allow the wearer to have a standard pair of glasses while the headset is on. Of course, not all VR headsets are built with this in mind.
In cases where your frames don’t fit comfortably while wearing a VR headset, don’t force it. This will only risk scratching your lenses and potentially giving you a headache from discomfort. The best option is to simply wear contact lenses. If you think you won’t use VR much, you can get one-day lenses like the Precision1. Otherwise, you can get the right weekly or monthly pair to meet your prescription needs, like CooperVision’s Biofinity for single vision, Acuvue Oasys for astigmatism, or Alcon’s Total30 for multifocal functionality.
If you’re conscious of using lenses, you can choose prescription inserts that slot into your headset instead. Manufacturers like VR Lens Lab and VR Optician make different variants for a wide selection of headsets, so this is a solid immersive option with flexible compatibility. The downside to this is that you would need to find and get specific inserts and then use adapters to install them into your headset.
Identifying symptoms of eye strain
When you engage in VR, your eyes are forced to focus on digital elements from a fixed distance for extended periods. It’s best not to use your headset if you’re tired, have eye pain, or lack sleep. These factors can affect your perception and make you more prone to headaches.
You should also recognize the signs that your eyes are starting to strain. Eye discomfort is the most obvious, but you should be aware of tearing up, headaches, and neck pain. It may sound simple but don’t forget to blink regularly, even when deeply immersed in VR. Identifying these symptoms will be vital to knowing when to stop or make an adjustment.
Taking consistent breaks
It’s easy to keep your eyes safe and comfortable if you follow the 20-20-20 rule recommended by medical experts. Following this guideline, you need to take a break from your screen every 20 minutes. During this break, you will look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds. The goal is to give your eyes time to relax and minimize discomfort.
That said, you may still find yourself engaged in a prolonged gaming session in VR. If you forget to do the 20-20-20, you should still remember to take breaks. Professionals note that the most time you want to go is about an hour, so you should take a 10-minute break before continuing use. Even when your eyes feel okay, you should continue to do this to prevent problems from cropping up.
