Investigations on the visual and oculomotor effects of HMD use

Abstract

Head Mounted Display (HMD) is a virtual reality device worn on the head with a display covering the eyesight. The HMD has promising applications in various areas and it is leading towards a drastic makeover of the virtual reality industry. However, many users have reported discomfort associated with dizziness and diplopia yet the unidentified mechanisms of these side-effects remain the biggest hurdle to overcome. Since disruptions in sensory information processing occurs in virtual environments, investigating the neurological mechanism in HMD use may give fundamental guidelines for this potential threat. The present study investigated the effects of the visual and oculomotor determinants such as vergence-accommodation linkage and interocular torsional disparity in HMD use. Thus, physiological symptoms such as the pulse rate and center of pressure (COP) were measured, and the Simulator Sickness Questionnaire (SSQ) data were collected to clarify the factors underlying side-effects. Empirical validation of the effect of each factor was conducted using the biomarkers. By considering such neurological mechanisms in vision, the present results suggest a possible approach to reduce visual discomfort and side effects occurring via HMD.