Effects of Virtual Reality Head-mounted Displays on Oculomotor Functions

Mosaad Alhassan; Fatimah Alhamad; Kholoud Bokhary; Ali Almustanyir

doi:doi:10.11648/j.ijovs.20210601.12

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Effects of Virtual Reality Head-mounted Displays on Oculomotor Functions

Mosaad Alhassan, Fatimah Alhamad, Kholoud Bokhary, Ali Almustanyir

Published in International Journal of Ophthalmology & Visual Science (Volume 6, Issue 1)

Received: 23 January 2021 Accepted: 1 February 2021 Published: 9 February 2021

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Abstract

Purpose: Three-dimensional (3D) video games played using virtual reality head-mounted displays (VR-HMDs) are becoming increasingly popular. However, the use of this technology may lead to visual symptoms and discomfort by disrupting the normal linkage between the accommodation and vergence systems. This study aimed to investigate the effect of playing 3D video games using VR-HMDs on different oculomotor functions (i.e., accommodation and/or vergence system parameters) and to quantify symptoms associated with playing games using VR-HMD technology. Methods: Twenty –six male and female young adults (age range 19–27 years) with normal binocular vision completed this study. Different clinical accommodative and vergence measurements were collected before and after playing 3D video games using a VR-HMD system for 45 minutes. In addition, visual- and non–visual-related symptoms were measured before and after the video game sessions using the standardized Simulator Sickness Questionnaire. Results: The majority of accommodative parameters—including negative relative accommodation, accommodative accuracy, and monocular and binocular accommodative facilities—were significantly affected after playing 3D video games. With respect to vergence system measurements, the horizontal negative fusional vergence range at near and vergence facility test outcomes were affected significantly after the 3D video game sessions. Significant increments in different types of symptoms (i.e., visual and nonvisual) were also observed after playing 3D video games using the VR-HMD system. Conclusions: Playing 3D video games using VR-HMD systems can lead to a deterioration of certain oculomotor functions (i.e., accommodative and vergence systems). Players can be expected to experience eyestrain and discomfort after just 45 minutes of playing.

Published in	International Journal of Ophthalmology & Visual Science (Volume 6, Issue 1)
DOI	10.11648/j.ijovs.20210601.12
Page(s)	10-16
Creative Commons	This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.
Copyright	Copyright © The Author(s), 2021. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Virtual Reality, Video Games, Cybersickness, Oculomotor, Accommodation, Vergence, Binocular Vision, Simulator Sickness Questionnaire

References

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APA Style

Mosaad Alhassan, Fatimah Alhamad, Kholoud Bokhary, Ali Almustanyir. (2021). Effects of Virtual Reality Head-mounted Displays on Oculomotor Functions. International Journal of Ophthalmology & Visual Science, 6(1), 10-16. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijovs.20210601.12

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ACS Style

Mosaad Alhassan; Fatimah Alhamad; Kholoud Bokhary; Ali Almustanyir. Effects of Virtual Reality Head-mounted Displays on Oculomotor Functions. Int. J. Ophthalmol. Vis. Sci. 2021, 6(1), 10-16. doi: 10.11648/j.ijovs.20210601.12

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AMA Style

Mosaad Alhassan, Fatimah Alhamad, Kholoud Bokhary, Ali Almustanyir. Effects of Virtual Reality Head-mounted Displays on Oculomotor Functions. Int J Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2021;6(1):10-16. doi: 10.11648/j.ijovs.20210601.12

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@article{10.11648/j.ijovs.20210601.12,
  author = {Mosaad Alhassan and Fatimah Alhamad and Kholoud Bokhary and Ali Almustanyir},
  title = {Effects of Virtual Reality Head-mounted Displays on Oculomotor Functions},
  journal = {International Journal of Ophthalmology & Visual Science},
  volume = {6},
  number = {1},
  pages = {10-16},
  doi = {10.11648/j.ijovs.20210601.12},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijovs.20210601.12},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ijovs.20210601.12},
  abstract = {Purpose: Three-dimensional (3D) video games played using virtual reality head-mounted displays (VR-HMDs) are becoming increasingly popular. However, the use of this technology may lead to visual symptoms and discomfort by disrupting the normal linkage between the accommodation and vergence systems. This study aimed to investigate the effect of playing 3D video games using VR-HMDs on different oculomotor functions (i.e., accommodation and/or vergence system parameters) and to quantify symptoms associated with playing games using VR-HMD technology. Methods: Twenty –six male and female young adults (age range 19–27 years) with normal binocular vision completed this study. Different clinical accommodative and vergence measurements were collected before and after playing 3D video games using a VR-HMD system for 45 minutes. In addition, visual- and non–visual-related symptoms were measured before and after the video game sessions using the standardized Simulator Sickness Questionnaire. Results: The majority of accommodative parameters—including negative relative accommodation, accommodative accuracy, and monocular and binocular accommodative facilities—were significantly affected after playing 3D video games. With respect to vergence system measurements, the horizontal negative fusional vergence range at near and vergence facility test outcomes were affected significantly after the 3D video game sessions. Significant increments in different types of symptoms (i.e., visual and nonvisual) were also observed after playing 3D video games using the VR-HMD system. Conclusions: Playing 3D video games using VR-HMD systems can lead to a deterioration of certain oculomotor functions (i.e., accommodative and vergence systems). Players can be expected to experience eyestrain and discomfort after just 45 minutes of playing.},
 year = {2021}
}

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TY  - JOUR
T1  - Effects of Virtual Reality Head-mounted Displays on Oculomotor Functions
AU  - Mosaad Alhassan
AU  - Fatimah Alhamad
AU  - Kholoud Bokhary
AU  - Ali Almustanyir
Y1  - 2021/02/09
PY  - 2021
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijovs.20210601.12
DO  - 10.11648/j.ijovs.20210601.12
T2  - International Journal of Ophthalmology & Visual Science
JF  - International Journal of Ophthalmology & Visual Science
JO  - International Journal of Ophthalmology & Visual Science
SP  - 10
EP  - 16
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2637-3858
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijovs.20210601.12
AB  - Purpose: Three-dimensional (3D) video games played using virtual reality head-mounted displays (VR-HMDs) are becoming increasingly popular. However, the use of this technology may lead to visual symptoms and discomfort by disrupting the normal linkage between the accommodation and vergence systems. This study aimed to investigate the effect of playing 3D video games using VR-HMDs on different oculomotor functions (i.e., accommodation and/or vergence system parameters) and to quantify symptoms associated with playing games using VR-HMD technology. Methods: Twenty –six male and female young adults (age range 19–27 years) with normal binocular vision completed this study. Different clinical accommodative and vergence measurements were collected before and after playing 3D video games using a VR-HMD system for 45 minutes. In addition, visual- and non–visual-related symptoms were measured before and after the video game sessions using the standardized Simulator Sickness Questionnaire. Results: The majority of accommodative parameters—including negative relative accommodation, accommodative accuracy, and monocular and binocular accommodative facilities—were significantly affected after playing 3D video games. With respect to vergence system measurements, the horizontal negative fusional vergence range at near and vergence facility test outcomes were affected significantly after the 3D video game sessions. Significant increments in different types of symptoms (i.e., visual and nonvisual) were also observed after playing 3D video games using the VR-HMD system. Conclusions: Playing 3D video games using VR-HMD systems can lead to a deterioration of certain oculomotor functions (i.e., accommodative and vergence systems). Players can be expected to experience eyestrain and discomfort after just 45 minutes of playing.
VL  - 6
IS  - 1
ER  -

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Author Information

Mosaad Alhassan

Department of Optometry, College of Applied Medical Sciences, King Saud University, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Fatimah Alhamad

Department of Optometry, College of Applied Medical Sciences, King Saud University, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Kholoud Bokhary

Department of Optometry, College of Applied Medical Sciences, King Saud University, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Ali Almustanyir

Department of Optometry, College of Applied Medical Sciences, King Saud University, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

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APA Style

Mosaad Alhassan, Fatimah Alhamad, Kholoud Bokhary, Ali Almustanyir. (2021). Effects of Virtual Reality Head-mounted Displays on Oculomotor Functions. International Journal of Ophthalmology & Visual Science, 6(1), 10-16. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijovs.20210601.12

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ACS Style

Mosaad Alhassan; Fatimah Alhamad; Kholoud Bokhary; Ali Almustanyir. Effects of Virtual Reality Head-mounted Displays on Oculomotor Functions. Int. J. Ophthalmol. Vis. Sci. 2021, 6(1), 10-16. doi: 10.11648/j.ijovs.20210601.12

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AMA Style

Mosaad Alhassan, Fatimah Alhamad, Kholoud Bokhary, Ali Almustanyir. Effects of Virtual Reality Head-mounted Displays on Oculomotor Functions. Int J Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2021;6(1):10-16. doi: 10.11648/j.ijovs.20210601.12

Copy | Download

@article{10.11648/j.ijovs.20210601.12,
  author = {Mosaad Alhassan and Fatimah Alhamad and Kholoud Bokhary and Ali Almustanyir},
  title = {Effects of Virtual Reality Head-mounted Displays on Oculomotor Functions},
  journal = {International Journal of Ophthalmology & Visual Science},
  volume = {6},
  number = {1},
  pages = {10-16},
  doi = {10.11648/j.ijovs.20210601.12},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijovs.20210601.12},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ijovs.20210601.12},
  abstract = {Purpose: Three-dimensional (3D) video games played using virtual reality head-mounted displays (VR-HMDs) are becoming increasingly popular. However, the use of this technology may lead to visual symptoms and discomfort by disrupting the normal linkage between the accommodation and vergence systems. This study aimed to investigate the effect of playing 3D video games using VR-HMDs on different oculomotor functions (i.e., accommodation and/or vergence system parameters) and to quantify symptoms associated with playing games using VR-HMD technology. Methods: Twenty –six male and female young adults (age range 19–27 years) with normal binocular vision completed this study. Different clinical accommodative and vergence measurements were collected before and after playing 3D video games using a VR-HMD system for 45 minutes. In addition, visual- and non–visual-related symptoms were measured before and after the video game sessions using the standardized Simulator Sickness Questionnaire. Results: The majority of accommodative parameters—including negative relative accommodation, accommodative accuracy, and monocular and binocular accommodative facilities—were significantly affected after playing 3D video games. With respect to vergence system measurements, the horizontal negative fusional vergence range at near and vergence facility test outcomes were affected significantly after the 3D video game sessions. Significant increments in different types of symptoms (i.e., visual and nonvisual) were also observed after playing 3D video games using the VR-HMD system. Conclusions: Playing 3D video games using VR-HMD systems can lead to a deterioration of certain oculomotor functions (i.e., accommodative and vergence systems). Players can be expected to experience eyestrain and discomfort after just 45 minutes of playing.},
 year = {2021}
}

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TY  - JOUR
T1  - Effects of Virtual Reality Head-mounted Displays on Oculomotor Functions
AU  - Mosaad Alhassan
AU  - Fatimah Alhamad
AU  - Kholoud Bokhary
AU  - Ali Almustanyir
Y1  - 2021/02/09
PY  - 2021
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijovs.20210601.12
DO  - 10.11648/j.ijovs.20210601.12
T2  - International Journal of Ophthalmology & Visual Science
JF  - International Journal of Ophthalmology & Visual Science
JO  - International Journal of Ophthalmology & Visual Science
SP  - 10
EP  - 16
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2637-3858
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijovs.20210601.12
AB  - Purpose: Three-dimensional (3D) video games played using virtual reality head-mounted displays (VR-HMDs) are becoming increasingly popular. However, the use of this technology may lead to visual symptoms and discomfort by disrupting the normal linkage between the accommodation and vergence systems. This study aimed to investigate the effect of playing 3D video games using VR-HMDs on different oculomotor functions (i.e., accommodation and/or vergence system parameters) and to quantify symptoms associated with playing games using VR-HMD technology. Methods: Twenty –six male and female young adults (age range 19–27 years) with normal binocular vision completed this study. Different clinical accommodative and vergence measurements were collected before and after playing 3D video games using a VR-HMD system for 45 minutes. In addition, visual- and non–visual-related symptoms were measured before and after the video game sessions using the standardized Simulator Sickness Questionnaire. Results: The majority of accommodative parameters—including negative relative accommodation, accommodative accuracy, and monocular and binocular accommodative facilities—were significantly affected after playing 3D video games. With respect to vergence system measurements, the horizontal negative fusional vergence range at near and vergence facility test outcomes were affected significantly after the 3D video game sessions. Significant increments in different types of symptoms (i.e., visual and nonvisual) were also observed after playing 3D video games using the VR-HMD system. Conclusions: Playing 3D video games using VR-HMD systems can lead to a deterioration of certain oculomotor functions (i.e., accommodative and vergence systems). Players can be expected to experience eyestrain and discomfort after just 45 minutes of playing.
VL  - 6
IS  - 1
ER  -

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