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Virtual reality is getting more and more popular and for good reason. It can be an incredibly immersive experience. But what happens if you’re nearsighted? Do you still need to wear glasses in VR?
Yes, you will need to wear your glasses in VR if you’re nearsighted. Why? While the VR lenses that you look through are literally just a few inches from your eyes, the images that are being generated are coming from much further away. So, your brain is still processing them as if they’re far away.
Not using any form of glasses can cause some serious eye strain, and it’s not something that you want to experience while you’re in VR. But there are alternatives like contact lenses and prescription inserts for your VR headset.
Below, I take a deeper dive into why nearsighted people need to wear their glasses in VR and what alternatives you have.
Why Nearsighted People Need Glasses in VR
If you’re nearsighted, that means that you can see things up close just fine, but things that are far away are blurry. This is because your eyeball is a little bit too long, or your cornea (the clear part in the front of your eye) isn’t curved enough.
This means that the light that’s coming into your eye isn’t being focused correctly onto your retina (the back part of your eye), and so everything appears blurry.
In order to correct this, you need to wear glasses or contacts that will help to focus the light correctly onto your retina.
Now, in VR, the lenses that you’re looking through are just a few inches from your eyes. However, the images that are being generated are coming from much further away.
So, even though the lenses are close to your eyes, your brain is still processing the images as if they’re far away. This can cause some serious eye strain, and it’s not something that you want to experience while you’re in VR.
That’s why it’s important to bring your glasses with you when you put on your headset. Otherwise, you’re just going to end up with a headache or worse.
Can I Use Glasses in VR?
Yes, in most cases you can use glasses in VR. However, not all VR devices are designed to work well with glasses, so check before you buy any to see if they can be used with glasses.
To prevent smashing your glasses when putting on a headset, I recommend pressing the headset against your face first. Ensure that your glasses fit inside and do not collide with the lenses.
Then, like putting on a pair of swim goggles, pull the strap back over your head.
Oculus recommends glasses that are 142mm or less wide and 50mm or less height, according to official specifications. Anything larger than that will most likely not fit in the Quest 2 or most other headsets on the market.
Oculus also suggests utilizing the built-in glasses spacer with your Oculus Quest 2, and many other VR headsets come with one as well. This only adds a few millimeters of space between your eyeballs and the lenses.
This is essential because rubbing your glasses against the lenses may cause them to scratch.
READ MORE! 18 Tips & Tricks For Oculus Quest 2 (You Need To Know!)
What Happens If I Don’t Wear Glasses in VR
So, what happens if you don’t wear your glasses in VR? Well, it’s not going to be a pleasant experience.
You’ll probably end up with a headache, and the images will be extremely blurry. It’s just not worth it to try and tough it out without your glasses.
You see, when you’re in VR, your brain is still processing the images as if they’re coming from far away. So, if you don’t have your glasses on, the light that’s coming into your eyes isn’t being focused correctly, and everything will appear blurry.
Trust me, it’s not worth it to try and go without your glasses. Just make sure to bring them with you when you put on your headset.
What If I Am Longsighted?
You might be in luck! If you are longsighted, that means that you can see things that are far away just fine, but things up close are blurry.
This is because your eyeball is a little bit too short, or your cornea (the clear part in the front of your eye) isn’t curved enough.
In VR, the lenses that you’re looking through are just a few inches from your eyes. This means that things that are up close will appear clear, but things that are far away will be blurry.
So, if you’re longsighted, you might not need to wear your glasses in VR. However, it’s always a good idea to bring them with you just in case. You never know when you might need them.
Do All Nearsighted People Need To Wear Glasses In VR?
No, not all nearsighted people need to wear glasses in VR. Nearsightedness varies from person to person, and some people may find that they can see just fine without their glasses in VR.
I have actually seen people with very mild nearsightedness who don’t need to wear their glasses in VR. However, if you have any doubts, it’s always best to bring your glasses with you just in case. It’s better to be safe than sorry.
Are There Any Risks Associated With Wearing Glasses In VR?
While I have not heard of any risks associated with wearing glasses in VR, I would still recommend that you use caution. If you feel like your glasses are going to slip off, or if they’re causing you any discomfort, it’s best to take them off.
You don’t want to risk breaking or damaging your glasses while you’re in VR. Some people get so scared they forget they’re wearing glasses, and they end up breaking them. Breaking glasses while wearing them may cause more harm than good. The shards of glass could end up hurting your eyes.
So, if you’re going to wear glasses in VR, just be sure to use caution and take them off if they’re causing you any discomfort.
Are There Any Other Ways To Improve Vision When Using VR Headsets?
Yes, there are other ways to improve vision when using VR headsets. First, you may want to consider using contact lenses instead of glasses.
This will help to reduce any risk of your glasses slipping off or getting damaged. Additionally, it will also provide a clearer image since the lenses will be closer to your eyes.
Another option is to use prescription inserts for your VR headset. The concept is that you can take your glasses off and put a VR prescription lens or lens adapter in your headset to see clearly.
If you wear contacts or have prescription inserts for your VR headset, you won’t have to worry about bringing your glasses with you when you use VR.
However, if you don’t have either of these things, be sure to bring your glasses just in case.
Conclusion
Nearsighted people should always bring their glasses with them when using VR headsets.
While there are other ways to improve vision, such as wearing contact lenses or using prescription inserts, it’s still best to err on the side of caution and bring your glasses just in case.
Espen
Espen is the Director of PursuitMeta and has written extensively about Virtual Reality and VR Headsets for years. He is a consumer product expert and has personally tested VR Headsets for the last decade.
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