Forum Discussion

Jose's avatar
Jose
Heroic Explorer
10 years ago

Wide FOV prescription glasses recommendations?

I'm getting new glasses soon. Is anyone here familiar with the latest technology in prescription eyewear? Are there any companies that specialize in wide FOV prescription goggles or glasses? I don't care if they look dorky or non-fashionable. I currently have glasses with wide lenses like the kind that Will and Norm from Tested wear. But I'm looking for something wider, maybe something that wraps around my head. Maybe something wide like the goggles that the Major wears in cybereality's avatar.

Does anything like that exist?

6 Replies

  • I would think the most important criteria is that they physically fit within the HMD.

    The FOV should not be an issue for any glasses, eyeglass lenses tend to be close enough to the eyeball that the FOV is more than wide enough both horizontally and vertically even on the hipster style as worn by Will and Norm.

    Have you ever experienced a feeling of reduced or insufficient FOV wearing glasses in real life? It will be the same in VR as real life.
  • Contact lenses will give you the full FOV, though some people find them uncomfortable to wear.
  • Hello, I am an optician. Obviously the most comfortable way to wear a prescription inside an HMD is contact lenses (speaking of FOV). It is likely that contact lenses, and your eye, tend to dry quicker than normal inside a headset though...

    If you want to stick to glasses, you should be careful to the frame's size (especially width) and shape. Ideally, the lenses should be as close as possible to the eyes. However it is kind of a standard for all frames (around 13mm). Obviously the glasses have to fit inside the headset but that should not be a problem, there is some room in there.
    I would also advise slim branches because the headset will press them against your temples. It may be possible to make a small cut in the headset's liner to minimize that.

    I don't think the FOV is an issue. As it was said, lenses are close enough to the eyes not to cause trouble unless they are unusually small. If you are a perfectionnist, the lenses' apparent size should be the same as the headset lenses' apparent size ; circle-shaped and slightly smaller than the HMD lenses, in other terms. (you can try to do the math !)

    I strongly advise to go for an efficient anti-glare coating.

    Now, you cloud also choose some sportish, curved frames but it would not be a wise idea. Sure, you will end up with a wide FOV... Wider than the headset FOV, actually, which doesn't make a lot of sense.
    What's more, lenses for such frames also need to be curved. Unless they are specifically manufactured (Freeform surfacing), they will have peripheral aberrations. Depending on your prescription, the lenses will be thicker and heavier, or may even be impossible to manufacture.
  • I never use my glasses with the DK2 because it helps blur the image a tad to reduce SDE. However for the upcoming CV1 I got some single-vision reading glasses that are tuned for a closer than normal distance. Hopefully it works ok.
    I think use of a head strap/retainer that can be cinched down to hold the glasses up tight may be good for keeping the lenses from making contact. Ideally there could be a spacer fitted just above the nose area to keep glasses from getting too close to those fine fresnel lenses, even if just a piece of stiff foam.
  • Jose's avatar
    Jose
    Heroic Explorer
    Thanks for the responses guys. I was asking about glasses for general use, not for use inside an hmd. I use contacts or no glasses with my Rift most of the time. I'd like to increase my peripheral vision. I know contacts are the best for that, but for some reason I can only wear them for a few hours before they get uncomfortable. And eye drops don't seem to help much.