Eye Strain ... VR vs Flat

[temps]

Does anyone else FEEL like VR is more comfortable on the eyes than a traditional monitor? For some reason when I use a traditional monitor for a while... idk maybe it's the placebo effect or something, but I feel like I need to give my eyes a rest or something. But when I'm in a VR headset, my eyes feel more comfortable.

Anyone else have a similar experience? Maybe I'm just imagining it or something?

[BOLL]

Might be that you actually should have glasses when out of VR, and that the VR headset set focuses at a good distance that suits you. I believe most consumer VR headests have a fixed focus distance, one probably larger than between you and a desktop monitor. It's an idea anyway.

[PopinFRESH]

It depends on the VR HMD but this has been researched and it isn’t your imagination. The reason is that most HMDs have an infinite or nearly infinite focal plane so your eyes aren’t actually focusing on the display but “past” the display. This results in your eye muscles relaxing.

[BOLL]

The infinite focus was the case in early headsets at least, like the DK1, later on manufacturers adopted a near field focus instead. I measured the DK2 to focus at 1.3 meters, and the index to focus at 1.8 meters. I haven't measured any other headsets though but I'd expect them to be similarly specced.

[PopinFRESH]

Originally posted by BOLL:

The infinite focus was the case in early headsets at least, like the DK1, later on manufacturers adopted a near field focus instead. I measured the DK2 to focus at 1.3 meters, and the index to focus at 1.8 meters. I haven't measured any other headsets though but I'd expect them to be similarly specced.

Touché and thanks for the correction. I hadn't double checked the focal length of newer HMDs since my Vive.

Those focal distance still seems to relax the eye muscles but looking more into this there are some other studies that have been referenced by people arguing that VR may cause long-term damage. I think where those claims are missing the mark are in ensuring your HMD is actually adjusted properly (assuming it can be) to ensure it is aligned with your IPD.

Also, just read the last bit of your first post and that is also something to consider. I'd concur with that notion and would recommend the OP go do an eye exam at an optometrist to see if they might need a low power correction for near-sight.