Combining smart contact lenses with smart glasses could prevent or lessen eye strain and make virtual reality (VR) solutions a practical option for everyday use, VR developer Innovega said in a white paper describing and demonstrating the technology on its website.
The combination managed the vergence-accommodation conflict that causes discomfort and visual fatigue when using near-eye display, providing the user with a discreet, high performance entertainment and information experience, according to the paper.
Vergence-accommodation conflict occurs when three-dimensional depth cues presented by a stereo 3D display, or the real world, stimulate the eyes to focus at distances that are different from the fixed distance at which the static display panel is focussed.
"Resolving the vergence-accommodation conflict is known to reduce the time required to identify 3D stimuli, improve stereoacuity with fast frame rates, reduce distortions in perceived depth, and reduce viewer fatigue and discomfort," said Innovega co-founder, optometrist Jerome Legerton, who helped invent the technology. "We are pleased to reach the stage where we can describe and demonstrate the continuous depth of field of our iOptik contact lens-enabled wearable display optics."
Many VR systems are complex, bulky, heavy and expensive, said Innovega’s other co-founder, CEO Steve Willey. "Those disadvantages are completely avoided by using Innovega's long depth of focus contact lens optics. Combined with vision correction that's required by more than 60 percent of the population, and panoramic high-resolution experiences from stylish and lightweight eyewear, the eMacula system delivers a platform that wearers need or want."
