Are VR Headsets Harmful to Your Eyes?

Virtual reality (VR) headsets make you feel like you’re part of a new world. However, they have some drawbacks, including possible complications for your eyes. To ensure your eyes remain healthy while you’re using VR, here are a few facts that you should know.

Will VR Harm My Eyes?

VR headsets tend to cause eye strain, discomfort, fatigue and blurred vision. These symptoms occur because users tend to blink less when using devices with digital screens. Furthermore, fatigue occurs when users have difficulty differentiating between virtual and perceived depth.

Increased use of VR also causes motion sickness, resulting in lightheadedness and headaches. Severe cases of VR motion sickness can lead to nausea and vomiting. 

When to Stop Using VR

VR is immersive, and its symptoms can be disruptive and problematic for some people. Most manufacturers recommend stopping VR use when you experience eye or muscle twitching, double vision and eye pain. Furthermore, you should stop using VR if it causes altered or double vision or other visual problems. 

Can VR Damage Your Eyesight?

It’s still not proven that VR headsets can damage the eyes; experts see no direct evidence causing long-term visual problems for adults and young children. But it doesn’t mean the device can’t cause permanent damage in the future.

To protect your eyes and minimize any impact VR may have on your eyes and vision, take note of the following tips:

• Do not let children use VR headsets for too long.
• Blink more often, and make a conscious effort to do so. Blinking gives enough moisture to the eyes and prevents them from drying.
• Have regular breaks from VR use. Prolonged use of VR causes eye strain.
• Use artificial tears. Lubricating eye drops can keep your eyes from drying fast.
• Wear your prescription glasses or contact lenses to reduce eye strain.

Get excellent prescription lenses from the eye care specialists at Northern Virginia Eye Doctors of Optometry. Reduce eye strain and improve your sight today. Call us at (703) 660-9494 (Alexandria), (703) 413-1400 (Crystal City), (703) 522-7676 (Clarendon), (703) 573-1200 (Falls Church) or (703) 467-9080 (Reston). You can also fill out this contact form to schedule your appointment.