REAL-TIME ASSESSMENT OF INTRA-HMD TEMPERATURE AND HUMIDITY CHANGES RELATED TO DRY EYE DURING DYNAMIC VR SPORTS

This study aimed to investigate real-time changes in ocular surface conditions, particularly dry eye symptoms, by monitoring intra-HMD temperature and humidity in participants performing dynamic sports activities while wearing a head-mounted display (HMD) VR system.

The VR session lasted 30 minutes, during which intra-HMD temperature, humidity, and perceived thermal sensation were continuously monitored. Participants performed the VR table tennis game in a controlled laboratory environment, simulating dynamic sports activity to evaluate the ocular thermal and humidity response under realistic VR conditions.

Thirty-five physically healthy university students in their 20s majoring in sports science were enrolled, excluding those with pre-existing ocular diseases, prior ocular surgery, dry eye symptoms, or binocular vision abnormalities. Participants performed VR-based table tennis (Eleven Table Tennis, For Fun Labs, USA) while wearing an HMD (Oculus Quest 2, Meta, USA). McMonnies dry eye tests were administered before and after VR exposure to assess ocular surface changes.

Intra-HMD temperature increased steadily during the first 15 minutes of gameplay, plateauing thereafter. Humidity rose sharply within the initial 15 minutes and gradually decreased, with no significant difference from baseline observed after 20 minutes. McMonnies test results indicated a significant increase in dry eye symptoms post-VR exposure. Participants reported ocular discomfort consistent with these findings.

Dynamic physical activity in HMD-based VR environments can exacerbate intraocular thermal and humidity changes, intensifying ocular discomfort and dry eye symptoms. The increase in perceived temperature during continuous activity may contribute to visual discomfort, highlighting the need for further research and experimental validation to optimize device design and safeguard long-term ocular health in VR users.