Virtual reality gaming is seeing a spike in popularity right now—but some experts and industry observers are concerned that frequent use of the technology may come with some health risks, including eyestrain, migraines, and falls. Here is what we know so far about the safety of VR, and the potential health impacts—both negative and positive—that VR gaming may have.
Is VR bad for your eyes?
VR posts some serious health risks. It should be noted that VR audio and video partially block out the environment around you. As a result, it is easier for people to trip or fall due to the lack of visibility. There are also other health risks that could creep up on users over time. VR-induced eye strain, for example, has been a source of concern for some eye doctors because of long-term effects on the eye-brain connection.
Excessive screen time is known to cause digital eye strain—a condition also called computer vision syndrome (CVS). There’s nothing unique about the LCD screens of a VR headset that would prevent digital eye strain. This means regular VR use could lead to CVS and related symptoms, such as headache and visual fatigue. To prevent CVS, a person needs to take frequent screen breaks. Specialized lenses can reduce digital eye strain.
VR screens are different from typical LCD screens in one significant way – instead of looking at one screen, you are required to watch two screens, each positioned just a few centimeters away from your face. As a result of this double-screen setup, scientists have found that it can lead to a problem called the “vergence-accommodation conflict,” or visual cues that trick the eye into perceiving close objects as far away. The conflict is known to cause viewer fatigue and visual discomfort. There have also been cases where it has resulted in persistent headaches and nausea in some users. The conflict may even cause vision problems in the long term.
Those at the greatest risk of VR-related eye conditions are kids, whose eyes and brain connections haven’t fully developed yet. An optometry professor believes that spending too much time in VR could put children at risk of developing conditions like myopia or nearsightedness.
What are the negative effects of VR Gaming?
Depending on underlying health conditions—like sickness, injury, or a tendency to develop motion sickness—playing VR may also be risky or simply unpleasant.
Mashable Games Editor Tina Amini wrote about her experience spending several days at GDC, a prominent video game developer conference, demoing VR games while recovering from a concussion—an injury that can cause a range of symptoms, including balance issues, abnormal eye movement, and loss of coordination.
Amini’s takeaway from the experience was that gaming in VR can contribute to symptoms brought out by a concussion, like motion sickness.
Most VR devices advise talking to a doctor before using it if you are “pregnant, elderly, or have pre-existing conditions that may affect your virtual reality experience such as vision abnormalities, psychiatric disorders, heart conditions, or other serious medical conditions.” Some warnings about triggering seizures or blackouts indicate that such events may happen even if the user has no such medical history.
One study demonstrated that VR can elicit a strong emotional response— compared to the same experience displayed on an ordinary computer monitor—that may be difficult to manage for individuals with certain psychiatric conditions. There are also concerns VR might slow or compromise recovery. This is especially true for users bouncing back from conditions like sinus infections, headaches, eye problems, stomach issues, or even a cold. They require physical equilibrium to recover successfully.
In short, while not likely to cause longterm damage in healthy individuals, VR gaming could make recovery from injury or illness more unpleasant.
What are the health benefits of VR Gaming?
Others are more optimistic about the effects of VR. The founding director of VHIL at Stanford University tells the MIT Press podcast that he believes VR may actually have the potential to make us healthier. This is because it blurs the line between the digital world and the actual one. With VR, it may be possible to experience virtual scenarios that feel almost as real as the real thing—for example, interacting with virtual foods could possibly contribute to users eating less and feeling fuller.
Scientists have used VR games and simulations experimentally for a wide variety of purposes, including balance training and mental health programs.
So, is VR safe? VR may have minor risks on someone using it. For now, we are unable to know what kind of longterm health impacts—positive or negative—that VR may have. Headset owners should play in VR responsibly and take regular breaks.
