Motion Sickness, Binocular Visual Functions, and Visual Perception

Clinical Relevance and Background: Motion sickness is a common manifestation of autonomic dysfunction. Increasingly induced by modern technology, such as virtual reality (VR), it presents a pressing challenge that warrants investigation. However, the relationship between binocular function, visual perception, and motion sickness remains largely unexplored. Therefore, this study investigated the correlations between binocular visual functions, visual perception, and motion sickness susceptibility in adults. Methods: Adults aged 20 to 25 years were recruited. Based on a background and motion sickness susceptibility questionnaire, participants were divided into two groups: the Sick Tendency (ST) group (n = 21) and the Normal group (n = 33). Clinical assessments included habitual distance prescription and visual acuity (VA), phoria, fixation disparity (FD), positive/negative fusional vergence (PFV/NFV), vertical fusional vergence (VFV), positive/negative relative accommodation (PRA/NRA), accommodative facility (AF), vergence facility (VF), stereopsis, contrast sensitivity (CS), near point of convergence (NPC), and near point of accommodation (NPA). Additionally, motor-free visual perception test (MVPT), peripheral awareness (PA), and body balance (center of pressure) were assessed. Results: The ST group exhibited significantly higher distance NFV, distance VFV, and near PFV. Conversely, their NPA, stereopsis, and body balance (center of pressure) were significantly poorer than those of the Normal group. These deficits may be attributed to the accommodation-convergence conflict. Conclusions: Motion sickness susceptibility is closely associated with specific binocular functions. Individuals susceptible to motion sickness exhibit poorer postural stability, likely due to diminished stereopsis and accommodative amplitude (NPA). Future research should further investigate the underlying mechanisms and their clinical implications.