BINOCULAR VISION IN A BI-OCULAR WORLD - NEW-GENERATION HEAD-MOUNTED DISPLAYS AVOID CAUSING VISUAL DEFICIT

Our previous research highlighted adverse visual effects after wearing a binocular head-mounted display (HMD) for a 10 min stereoscopic visu alization task. We have since proposed a theoretical explanation based on the conflict between the depth cues presented by image disparity a nd image focal depth. Such conflict, however, is not evident in all HM D configurations, and we replicated our early trials using a new-gener ation bi-ocular HMD produced by Virtuality Entertainment Ltd. Using si milar, conventional optometric procedures with 50 participants, we obs erved no problems in the use of this display for immersion periods of up to 30 min. This study demonstrates that effective HMDs can be produ ced through careful design and precision engineering. It also suggests a difference between the presentation of binocular and bi-ocular imag es and the requirements that they place on the visual system. Factors to consider in the future development of binocular displays are discus sed.