We're glued to different types of screens all day long, but what happens when the screen is directly attached to our face? This is the question that virtual reality raises about eye health.
To try to better understand the issues, we interviewed two ophthalmologists. Here are their revelations.
Can virtual reality impact vision?
The medical consensus on what happens to our eyes when looking at a screen, in general, is that it can cause symptoms of eye strain, including dry eyes and headaches. Although annoying, it does not usually cause long-term lasting damage to vision. This is also true for what we currently know about the blue light emitted by screens: it can disrupt sleep, but research so far has not shown that it can damage the eye or vision.
According to Dr. Robert Kinast, an ophthalmologist and CEO and co-founder of GentleDrop, it's basically the same situation with virtual reality. “ The two biggest risks of virtual reality are eye strain and dry eyes, which can be painful but usually do not hurt the eye “, he explains.
Because virtual reality or mixed reality is so immersive, people may blink less than would normally indicate digital eye strain, says Dr. Ranjodh S. Boparai, ophthalmic surgeon and CEO of CorneaCare.
« I think the level of concentration your brain will devote to [la réalité virtuelle] will be very high », adds the practitioner. “ And when you're really focused on something, you naturally blink less ».
Another question about how virtual reality or mixed reality headsets can strain our eyes has to do with the distance of the object we are looking at, how they adjust, and the depth of field.
« As part of our daily activities, we rely on our eyes to be able to zoom, see near and far, and to be able to switch between says Boparai, using as an example his ability to look away from his computer screen and look at a more distant point in his office.
So this could mean that a factor in eye strain is related to how our eyes focus, which can vary depending on technology and whether our reality is more virtual or mixed, for example. Research into how different devices or technologies compare may be needed.
Another health phenomenon that Dr. Boparai highlights regarding virtual reality is the fact that people prone to motion sickness may feel discomfort while wearing a virtual reality headset. This is because there is a “lag” between what our brain perceives (movement) and what is actually happening.
Does the risk of myopia in children extend to virtual reality?
Myopia, or being nearsighted and having difficulty seeing at a distance, is a growing public health problem that, to some extent, can be prevented or alleviated. Existing research on younger vision shows that children and adolescents whose eyes are still “growing” are at greater risk of myopia if they spend more time indoors, which includes outdoor activities. “close work” like video games or reading, and less time outdoors.
However, it is difficult to determine the extent to which these factors contribute to increased rates of myopia. According to Robert Kinast, the “up close” or “near work” component may be due to the accommodation process our eyes undergo when we look at something up close and what this demands of the lens of the eye.
« In children, there is some evidence that this sustained accommodation can send a signal to the eye that it needs to be longer he said, which can make myopia worse. Severe myopia is a health concern because there is a link between being very nearsighted or having a very high myopia prescription and the risk of eye problems such as retinal detachment or glaucoma.
It's easy to conclude that technology is to blame, given children's increasing access to screens and portable devices at younger ages. But according to Dr. Boparai, the answer is not so simple. Indeed, the risk of myopia also depends on genetics and, probably, on the fact that people spend less time outdoors in general.
« We found that spending time outdoors tends to have a small protective effect against the progression of myopia, especially », he adds. This means that a child who may already need glasses because their parents need them, for example, can reduce their risk of becoming very nearsighted by spending more time outdoors.
For Ranjodh Boparai, time spent outdoors can benefit the eyes in a number of ways: exposure to daylight can be beneficial, and being outside also usually means getting focus. point in the distance.
It's worth noting that most VR or mixed reality manufacturers usually include an age limit of around 12 or 13 years old. As the American Academy of Ophthalmology points out, this may be more due to the content of virtual, augmented or mixed reality worlds and games.
How to rest your eyes
Consider taking a break from screens or digital experiences. Dr. Boparai recommends doing this every 90 minutes to 2 hours if possible. Ideally, go outside and leave your phone or book inside. This allows the eyes to relax and focus on objects farther away than a few inches in front of your face.
If you must be in front of a screen continuously for work or study, consider sticking to the basic “20-20-20” rule of looking from about 20 feet (about 6 meters) away, for 20 seconds, every 20 minutes.
If your eyes are dry, Dr. Kinast recommends a warm compress to help melt the oils and make them flow more easily into the tear film. A cold compress can help relieve swelling or itching.
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