Effects of virtual reality usage on kappa angle, accommodation, pupil, depth perception, and examination of the relationship of these parameters with discomfort perception

Authors : Volkan Dericioğlu, Betul Kubat

Pages : 59-62

Doi:10.5472/marumj.1378508

View : 59 | Download : 87

Publication Date : 2024-01-28

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :Objective: This study aims to examine the effects of virtual reality (VR) usage on the eyes and investigate the parameters responsible for the subsequent discomfort sensation. Materials and Methods: This prospective study enrolled 20 healthy volunteers who were engaged in a 10-minute VR game session. Refractive errors, kappa angles, phoria presence, accommodative responses, and scotopic, mesopic, and photopic pupillometry values were recorded before and after using VR. A Virtual Reality Sickness Questionnaire (VRSQ) was applied to assess discomfort, and the relation with evaluated parameters was investigated. Results: Twenty volunteers (mean age 29.80±0.57 years) included 11 females (55%) and 9 males (45%). The mean spherical equivalent refractive error was – 1.94±0.28 diopters and 5 (25%) volunteers had phoria. Average kappa angles were 0.23±0.02 mm (x-axis) and 0.11±0.01 mm (y-axis). Post-VR, the median [(interquartile range (IQR)] stereopsis decreased from 30 (30-60) to 60 (60-60) arc seconds (P<0.001). Pupil sizes increased significantly across all lighting conditions (P<0.001). Accommodation did not significantly change post-VR (P>0.05). VRSQ scores correlated positively with phoria and kappa-x angle (r=0.458, P=0.003 and r=0.330, P=0.038) while negatively with stereopsis and kappa-y angle (r=-0.375, P=0.017 and r=-0.326, P=0.04). Conclusion: Virtual reality use reduces depth perception and induces significant mydriasis across lighting conditions. Post-VR discomfort feeling may be related to phoria, kappa angle, and stereopsis.
Keywords : Virtual reality, Accommodation, Kappa, Stereopsis, Pupillometry