Ocular vergences measurement in virtual reality: A pilot study.

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Optometry
• Human-Computer Interaction

Background:

• Ocular vergence performance is crucial for binocular vision.
• Traditional methods for assessing vergence, like prism use, have limitations.
• Virtual reality (VR) presents a novel approach for visual function evaluation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the efficacy of a VR device with integrated eye-tracking for assessing ocular vergence.
• To compare VR-based vergence measurements with traditional prism-based methods.
• To explore the potential of VR for diagnosing and remediating vergence disorders.

Main Methods:

• Utilized a VR device with eye-tracking to simulate near and far vision conditions.
• Assessed ocular movements and calculated vergence scores in virtual environments.
• Compared VR vergence scores with those obtained using prisms in a real-world setting.
• Investigated simple versus complex virtual environments.

Main Results:

• VR-based vergence scores (convergence and divergence) closely mirrored prism-based scores.
• Virtual environments effectively simulated 3D vision conditions.
• Modulating image angular deviation in VR successfully induced ocular vergences.
• Amplitudes of fusion were superior in VR conditions, indicating enhanced measurement accuracy.
• VR prevented underestimation of divergence in individuals with high convergence abilities.

Conclusions:

• VR is a viable and accurate tool for evaluating ocular vergence performance.
• Controlled virtual environments offer superior conditions for measuring vergence movements.
• VR technology shows potential for remediating vergence-related disorders.