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Comment by tostitos1979 | Hacker News Reader

tostitos1979

One factor that greatly limits my use of VR is that it is so uncomfortable with glasses on. I've seen people propose hacks and kickstarter projects. I don't understand why the people leading VR are turning a blind eye to the problem (no pun intended).

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Um, since the thing is already sitting on one's face, why can't they do adaptible optics so that the there's no need for glasses/contacts? (or any need to peel out the contacts)?

It's a problem solved long ago for binoculars after all.

I'm guessing it's a cost and complexity thing. More moving parts = more potential problems.

Separately, the HTC Vive sits over your glasses pretty easily, so it hasn't been a big issue. The Rift though... I have to bring out the contacts for it.

Moving parts are too expensive, I agree. But nowadays one can just 3D-print a set of lenses that will match one's vision perfectly, and making it possible to just snap them in and out might be easier to implement than any alternative.

You can't get anywhere close to 3D printing lenses

But there is a good point there--Zeni optical probably pays under $4 per pair of lenses it sells. If you had a slot to insert a lens it wouldn't be very expensive.

Not as 100% of the process, but you can print a blob that is 90% of the shape of your lens and grind the rest of the material away as you would have to with normal lenses. I've seen people do it. It's labor intensive, but less so than starting with a regular lens blank.

Back when I still had glasses, I tried 3D printing a small structure that takes in lenses from an online glasses shop. It didn't quite work, and I abandoned it because my Vive is pretty decent with glasses.

My cheap tacky Google Cardboard-esque phone based headset has a fair amount of accomodation, around +/- 3 diopters I'd guess. If they can do it in a $30 plastic fantastic, there's no reason for an $800 headset not to.

I've had issues with glasses + Occulus but the Vive is a decent bit more roomy in there and it hasn't been an issue. Getting the headset on and off can still be a chore because I need to loosen the straps first.

You can also get prescription lens inserts but I think that's overkill for most people.

You can just cut the foam on the sides which inhibit the arms on each side. Put the foam back if you want to restore it.

You don't need to wear glasses with GearVR. There's a built in compensation slider which works well.

I couldn't imagine why on earth I'd need to wear my glasses for a screen directly in front of my eyes, and then I remembered that some people are farsighted.

I don't think the issue is seeing the screen itself, so much as it is the fact that everything hinges on tricking your eyes into refocusing in unnatural ways to induce depth perception. Even being nearsighted can screw this up in subtle but unsettling ways.

I'm not a domain expert though, someone please correct me if I'm wrong. I'm nearsighted and it always seemed like I still had to wear my glasses to get a good experience.

Glasses have been "cool again" for the past few years. I don't know that we're overdue for another fashion cycle, but could VR be one thing that pushes them out again? I usually wear glasses, contacts some days, but if I know I'm going to be playing with a VR headset, I'll usually wear contacts that day.

Depending on what's wrong with your eyes you don't have a choice.

Exactly. My eyes are somehow causing contacts to turn around (they actually have a weighted side that is supposed to point down) and this causes great discomfort and I'd rather go without anything than go with contacts.

Many or most people do - I'm not suggesting that glasses disappear, just that it might cause many more people to choose contacts or surgery over glasses.

I tried contacts for a year and never got used to them. I suppose lasic would work for me, but I don't mind wearing glasses otherwise, and I wouldn't do it just for comfortable VR.

Which VR headset are you using? I've tried HTC Vive and I had no problem with glasses on. I also own a Gear VR and the lenses are adjustable enough so I don't even need to wear glasses.

They just want to meet a subgroup's needs first. When there is a traction, they can move forward from there. But it seems the subgroup did not buy in after serval attempts.

Vive owner here with fairly big glasses. Never been a problem.

Ditto. I've not had problems with my glasses in any of the VR headsets, really, from the DK1 onward.

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