Now if you’re like me, you do a lot of gaming. I come back from work in the evening and one of the first things I do after household chores is go on my games console. It's a great way of stress relief and perfect to unwind at the end of the day. This does mean that I'm looking at a screen all day, as my job consists of the majority of my work being done on a computer, but one of the things I do like to do on my games console, which is a PlayStation, is playing on my VR. I love VR, but just like many others, I want to find out if VR can affect the eyes in a bad way and whether these symptoms are long-term. I want to answer this question and learn for myself and others about the effects of VR on our eyes.
We must look at VR as just another screen, but a screen that is predominantly closer. The difference is that this screen encompasses your whole vision. It's quite an amazing experience from a gaming perspective. I would recommend it highly. However, there are some negative effects that you must consider. When using VR, prolonged use of virtual reality (VR) headsets can lead to symptoms such as eye strain, dry eyes, and headaches, which are also common symptoms of regular screen use.
You might be wondering what dry eye is. Dry eye is a condition in which the eyes do not produce enough tears or produce tears that do not have the right composition. Tears are necessary to keep the eyes lubricated and comfortable and to clear away dirt and other debris. Without enough tears, the eyes can become dry, irritated, and uncomfortable. This can lead to symptoms such as burning, itching, redness, and light sensitivity. In severe cases, dry eye can also cause damage to the cornea, the clear front surface of the eye. Dry eye is more common in women, older adults, and people who spend a lot of time looking at screens, such as gamers and individuals in office jobs, as well as people who have certain medical conditions, such as rheumatoid arthritis, or take certain medications, such as antihistamines.
There are ways to counteract the effects of dry eye, and we have plenty of things available at Eye Lounge that can help. One of the things I would like to recommend, which I personally use myself, is Viteyes digital blue. This product is specifically designed to help those whose jobs or life generally involve looking at a screen all day. So, what these nutrients do is allow your eyes to maintain healthy function and keep them hydrated. It's a highly recommended product!
However, you must note that these symptoms are typically temporary and can be alleviated by taking breaks and adjusting the device's settings. It is also important to ensure that the VR headset is properly adjusted to fit your head and eyes and to use the device in a well-lit environment. Some experts suggest that VR headsets should not be used by children under the age of 12 or by people with certain vision conditions, such as amblyopia (lazy eye) or strabismus (crossed eyes).
So here are a few quick tips for safely using your virtual reality headset. The first one is to use the VR headset for shorter periods of time, don't go straight into VR for many hours and use it for like an hour or 2 hours. That's a hell of a lot of strain on your eyes, especially if you’re work consists of using screens too. The second point is to take regular breaks. I recommend taking a break every 20 to 30 minutes. Give your eyes a rest and prevent eye strain. Additionally, don't forget when you're setting up your VR game to adjust your VR headset, so it's properly fitted over your head and to your eyes. The lenses should be centred on the pupils and the display should be as comfortable as possible. Another great tip I've learned is to use it in a well-lit room. This will help prevent eye strain and you’re also using the device as it is intended. If you start messing around or changing the way you, do it, it could result in damage to your eyes. If you are very concerned about this, always consult
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