Wearing glasses under a VR headset is not very comfortable. Prescription lens inserts promise to solve this problem. Are they worth it?
Although my eyeglass frames fit reasonably well in the Quest (2), I had to constantly adjust. I use the Quest 3 with a VR Cover, which means my headset gets stuck inside the Quest 3 on the left and right corners, and there is a chance that my headset will scratch the lenses of the Quest 3.
Prescription lenses from VR Optician promise to be the solution. Are they worth it?
Traditional company based in Zolling, Germany, produces lens inserts for VR headsets
The company behind VR Optiker is Optik Planet from Zolling, just about 50 kilometers north of Munich. The traditional company has been producing headsets and other visual aids for 92 years.
Graduate engineer and company owner Arne Engler saw a niche within a niche in the field of virtual reality and successfully filled it. His company has been manufacturing prescription lens inserts for various VR headsets for several years.
The frames of the prescription lenses are made using the SLS (Selective Laser Sintering) printing process. A high-precision laser prints the frame into which the lenses are inserted, layer by layer, from powdered plastic.
Ordering, extras and scope of delivery
The lenses can be ordered quickly and easily through a web store. Most current VR headsets are supported, including Meta Quest 2, Quest 3, Pico 4 and Playstation VR 2, as well as older models such as Valve Index.
The lenses can be ordered as a pair or individually for each side, for example, as a replacement. You can find the data for your prescription in your eyeglass prescription card, or have it determined by an optician. Visual acuity ranges from -16 to +10 diopters, and the cylinder value for corneal curvature is between -6 and +6. The axis can be selected up to 180 degrees. Prism correction is also possible.
For VR headsets without IPD adjustment, you can also enter your pupillary distance. This can be necessary for some VR headsets to avoid unpleasant distortions during use.
You can add extras such as a specially hardened glass layer (prevents scratches), a super anti-reflective coating and a lotus effect layer for easy cleaning. ZEISS BlueProtect against blue-violet light is also available as an option.
The lenses are manufactured by Carl Zeiss Vision and then assembled into insert frames for the respective VR headset. Prices range from 49 Euros (for non-prescription plano lenses to protect the VR headset lenses) to around 260 Euros, based on the strength of the lenses.
The lenses arrived about two to three weeks after ordering. They come in special soft cloth pouches in a high quality, sturdy case. A microfiber lens cleaning cloth is included.
Easy to install and built to last
Installation is easy, a short video for each VR headset shows how to do it. For the Quest and Quest 2, I used the spacer (included with the Quest) to ensure enough distance between the eyes (opr eyelashes) and the lens.
The glasses for the Quest 3 are very thin and are clipped directly onto the lens.
The inserts do not touch the lenses and just click into place. It is important that the lenses of the VR headset and the lenses of the prescription inserts are completely clean. Any streaks or dust should be removed completely before installation. Several damp lens cleaning cloths are included for cleaning before installation.
The prescription lens inserts fit firmly and can withstand even fast movements of the VR headset. Cleaning is also easy without removing the lenses.
If you need to, for example to let friends use the VR headset, simply remove them. The prescription lenses are just as easy to remove as they are to put back in.
More comfort and freedom while using with Quest 2 and Quest 3
I purchased these prescription lens inserts for my HTC Vive many years ago. The inserts for the Quest 2 and especially the Quest 3 are worthwhile, as my eyeglass frame gets a little stuck on the edges of the face mask of the Quest 3, making it difficult to adjust.
The inserts are absolutely invaluable to me and remove another barrier to more frequent use of VR headsets. Not only does it eliminate the need to fine-tune the position of the glasses under the VR headset, but it also eliminates the pressure or occasional slipping of the glasses.
The only drawback I noticed when using the Quest 2 was that in particularly bright environments, the glare reflected off the lenses a bit despite the anti-reflective coating. I have not noticed this with the Quest 3 yet.
Prescription lens inserts for Playstation VR 2
The PSVR 2 inserts no longer require a special design like those for the Playstation VR. Instead, they simply attach to the lenses of the VR headset in the same way as Quest 2. I have been using the lenses since March 2023 and they work perfectly. The mounting is also stable.
VR Optician Prescription Lens Inserts Test Results
The big advantage of prescription lenses is that they are much more comfortable to wear. No more awkward adjustments, no more fiddling with temples to get everything to fit: The freedom of the Quest 2 or Quest 3 is only truly complete for those who wear glasses with built-in prescription lens inserts. But even with wired VR headsets like the PSVR 2, the lenses are a significant gain in comfort.
Moreover, you get a (perceived) better view because everything is perfectly tuned to the VR headset. And: the lenses of the VR headset are protected and can no longer be scratched.
The comfort effect justifies the price. Even if you need high visual acuity and have to pay more, you are making a one-time investment that will reduce setup for VR use and provide a much more comfortable VR experience.
Note: I bought the lens inserts for the HTC Vive myself. The lens inserts for the Quest 2, 3 and the Playstation VR 2 were provided to me by VR Optiker.
Source: Mixed News
