Children’s Issues

Virtual Reality Games and Children’s Vision

Virtual reality (VR) games are among the newest “high tech” computer games to gain popularity. While they are novel and exciting to play, children (and adults) need to understand the potential impact these games may have on vision.

VR games involve wearing a headset which is designed to exclude one’s perception of the outside world as much as possible. The headset provides sound through earphones, images via a miniature video display screen with focusing lenses placed in front of each eye, and feedback to the game’s computer about the user’s eye and body movements. The images seen change in response to the user’s body movements. The games generally involve motion (e.g., flying an airplane or rocket-ship, running down a tunnel, or moving through a maze).

Sometimes users of VR games experience problems due to sensory overload. Visual and perceptual problems can arise because of the nature and design of the headset and the visual environment which is created:

  • The video display screen is located very close to the user’s eye, but to see the screen clearly, the eyes must focus as if the screen were many feet away. This can cause the eyes’ focusing and alignment mechanisms to become fatigued leading to discomfort.
  • The small focusing lenses must be adjusted properly in order for the user to see the screen clearly and comfortably. The separation of the lenses must be placed to match the distance between the user’s eyes (interpupillary distance). If not properly adjusted, the eyes will have difficulty maintaining alignment, further increasing eyestrain.

Not all VR games have headsets which provide the range of adjustment or quality of focusing lenses needed to provide clear, distortion-free images. Some people, especially those who wear glasses, may find it difficult or impossible to adjust the headsets for clear, comfortable vision.

Some users of VR games may also experience problems of motion sickness, dizziness and disorientation. For some persons, these symptoms may be severe enough to prevent them from using the games; others may overcome them with time.

Children who use VR games and their parents need to be knowledgeable about the potential effects of their use in order to minimize risks while maximizing the fun. More research and experience with VR games is needed to determine their impact on vision. However, here are some suggestions from the American Optometric Association when playing VR games:

  • Make sure your vision is up to the task. Have regular vision examinations, tell your doctor of optometry that you like to play VR or other video games, and follow his or her recommendations for vision care.
  • Learn how to properly set up, adjust and maintain the VR headset. When buying a VR game set, look for an adjustable headset that allows the user to see the video display screen clearly and comfortably. Get a demonstration or trial of the headset before you buy it.
  • Limit the amount of VR game sessions to about 15 minutes at a time, with sufficient breaks or rest periods to recover equilibrium and orientation. If motion sickness, eyestrain, headache or other symptoms occur, reduce the time or stop playing entirely.

VR and other video or computer-based games can be interesting and fun to play. It is important for children and parents to use these games wisely in order to ensure maximum safety and enjoyment. If you have questions about VR games, talk to your family optometrist or contact the American Optometric Association.

Impact of Computer Use on Children’s Vision

When first introduced, computers were almost exclusively used by adults. Today, children increasingly use these devices both for education and recreation. Millions of children use computers on a daily basis at school and at home.

Children can experience many of the same symptoms related to computer use as adults. Extensive viewing of the computer screen can lead to eye discomfort, fatigue, blurred vision and headaches. However, some unique aspects of how children use computers may make them more susceptible than adults to the development of these problems.

The potential impact of computer use on children’s vision involves the following factors:

  • Children often have a limited degree of self-awareness. Many children keep performing an enjoyable task with great concentration until near exhaustion (e.g., playing video games for hours with little, if any, breaks). Prolonged activity without a significant break can cause eye focusing (accommodative) problems and eye irritation.

Accommodative problems may occur as a result of the eyes’ focusing system “locking in” to a particular target and viewing distance. In some cases, this may cause the eyes to be unable to smoothly and easily focus on a particular object, even long after the original work is completed.

Eye irritation may occur because of poor tearflow over the eye due to reduced blinking. Blinking is often inhibited by concentration and staring at a computer or video screen. Compounding this, computers usually are located higher in the field of view than traditional paperwork. This results in the upper eyelids being retracted to a greater extent. Therefore, the eye tends to experience more than the normal amount of tear evaporation resulting in dryness and irritation.

  • Children are very adaptable. Although there are many positive aspects to their adaptability, children frequently ignore problems that would be addressed by adults. A child who is viewing a computer screen with a large amount of glare often will not think about changing the computer arrangement or the surroundings to achieve more comfortable viewing. This can result in excessive eye strain. Also, children often accept blurred vision caused by nearsightedness (myopia), farsightedness (hyperopia), or astigmatism because they think everyone sees the way they do. Uncorrected farsightedness can cause eye strain, even when clear vision can be maintained.
  • Children are not the same size as adults. Since children are smaller, computers don’t fit them well. Most computer workstations are arranged for adult use. Therefore, a child using a computer on a typical office desk often must look up further than an adult. Since the most efficient viewing angle is slightly downward about 15 degrees, problems using the eyes together can occur. In addition, children may have difficulty reaching the keyboard or placing their feet on the floor, causing arm, neck or back discomfort.
  • Children often use computers in a home or classroom with less than optimum lighting. The lighting level for the proper use of a computer is about half as bright as that normally found in a classroom. Increased light levels can contribute to excessive glare and problems associated with adjustments of the eye to different levels of light.

Steps to Visually-Friendly Computer Use

Here are some things to consider for children using a computer:

  • Have the child’s vision checked. This will make sure that the child can see clearly and comfortably and can detect any hidden conditions that may contribute to eye strain. When necessary, glasses, contact lenses or vision therapy can provide clear, comfortable vision, not just for using the computer, but for all other aspects of daily activities.
  • Strictly enforce the amount of time that a child can continuously use the computer. A ten-minute break every hour will minimize the development of eye focusing problems and eye irritation caused by improper blinking.
  • Carefully check the height and arrangement of the computer. The child’s size should determine how the monitor and keyboard are positioned. In many situations, the computer monitor will be too high in the child’s field of view, the chair too low and the desk too high. A good solution to many of these problems is an adjustable chair that can be raised for the child’s comfort, since it is usually difficult to lower the computer monitor. A foot stool may be necessary to support the child’s feet.
  • Carefully check the lighting for glare on the computer screen. Windows or other light sources should not be directly visible when sitting in front of the monitor. When this occurs, the desk or computer may be turned to prevent glare on the screen. Sometimes glare is less obvious. In this case, holding a small mirror flat against the screen can be a useful way to look for light sources that are reflecting off of the screen from above or behind. If a light source can be seen in the mirror, the offending light should be moved or blocked from hitting the screen with a cardboard hood (a baffle) attached to the top of the monitor. In addition, the American Optometric Association has evaluated and accepted a number of glare screens that can be added to a computer to reduce glare. Look for the AOA Seal of Acceptance when purchasing a glare reduction filter.
  • Reduce the amount of lighting in the room to match the computer screen. Often this is very simple in the home. In some cases, a smaller light can be substituted for the bright overhead light or a dimmer switch can be installed to give flexible control of room lighting. In other cases, a three-way bulb can be turned onto its lowest setting.

Children have different needs to comfortably use a computer. A small amount of effort can help reinforce appropriate viewing habits and assure comfortable and enjoyable computer use.

www.aoa.org 11/08