When the virtual reality (VR) headset came out, many avid video game fans raved about it, and the device quickly became a staple for their lot. Now, as we move to the Metaverse, the VR headset will gain a new purpose, possibly becoming as essential as a smartphone.
But for people with vision problems, a smartphone can already be hard to use. How much more frustrated they’d be with a VR headset?
Though you can wear a VR headset with your glasses on, it won’t be the most comfortable experience. In most cases, you need small, thin-framed glasses to enjoy the headset. It was found that the Oculus Rift and HTC Vive can fit comfortably on bespectacled users for the most part, but still, you have to take some measurements before you buy.
Your glasses will or won’t fit, and it would be such a waste of time and money if you ended up with a headset you can’t use. Well, unless you’re willing to put the headset on without your glasses. But doctors warn against it, as VR use, in general, could cause eye or muscle twitching, dizziness, or even seizures.
Such circumstances can make people with eyesight problems feel excluded from the latest digital technology upgrades. They might feel stuck with a smartphone forever because it’s the only thing that accommodates them well. But even that can cause worsened vision problems because of the blue light.
So here are some ways media and tech companies can help people with eye issues:
1. Screen Filters
People can use screen filters to prevent bad or worsened eyesight from using a smartphone. They work like computer glasses. The glass is coated with a material that filters out blue light. It also has an anti-glare filter, which acts as a natural UV filter.
As such, screen filters can help smartphone users experience reduced eye strain. Moreover, they decrease screen brightness and flickering. The device may not do so much for people who’d rather use a VR headset, but still, it’s a handy tool. Most apps only require a smartphone anyway.
2. Anti-Blue Light Apps
People who love playing mobile games could benefit from an anti-blue light app. They’re downloadable on the web for free. The only catch is that they’re not as effective as screen filters, and they can alter the colors on the screen. For many gamers, that ruins the gaming experience.
But if your audience doesn’t consider that a big deal, launch your own blue light filter app. You’d compete with popular ones such as Night Shift, Night Mode, and Iris, to name a few.
3. Smart Glasses
A pair of smart glasses would work for people who don’t play games as much as they use social media. It’s particularly beneficial for people with a sudden loss of peripheral vision. The condition, called tunnel vision, makes people unable to see their surroundings without turning their heads. It’s a frustrating condition that makes even VR headsets impossible to enjoy.
Smart glasses help through the camera it comes with, which is installed in the center of the glasses. It streams a live feed into two HD video displays so that you’d see them as if from the lens themselves. As a result, wearers will regain their ability to see their surroundings in full focus. In fact, it can increase their field of view to 68° horizontally.
Willing buyers need to budget because smart glasses are expensive. It hasn’t hit the mainstream market yet, so experts don’t see it going cheaper for the next 10 years. Still, it’s a worthy investment for people with tunnel vision. Loss of peripheral vision cannot be reversed, so only technology can help sufferers.
4. Promoting Moderate Use of Digital Devices
At the end of the day, no matter how careful you are with your eyes, you’d increase your risk for bad vision if you stare at your screens for long periods. Phones, laptops, VR headsets, and televisions aren’t meant to be used without restraint. As much as media companies can benefit from binge users, the prevalence of bad eyesight can ruin their reputation anyway. Hence, they should constantly remind people to moderately use their services and products. The use of digital devices can be an addiction, too.
Plus, vision problems aren’t something to be glamorized. People with actual eye issues often wish they didn’t have to wear glasses or take medications. So media companies should take note of that and promote healthy eyesight instead. More people will enjoy digital devices if poor eyesight does not hinder them.