Kwansei Gakuin University in Hyōgo, Japan, has developed a virtual reality game that could potentially improve people’s eyesight.
While further research is needed to confirm the results, a study from the university’s Graduate School of Science and Engineering found that, after playing a specially developed game, users’ eyesight began to improve. The researchers now believe the game could be used to help people with simple myopia, or short-sightedness.
The game in question does not currently have a title, but is a simple VR game developed in Unity for the Meta Quest 2. It involves the player shooting targets by pressing the trigger button while also moving the controller in the direction of the small Landolt C on each target; the Landolt C being a small black circle used in Japanese eye tests.
The aim of the game is to exercise the eye muscles by requiring the player to switch their gaze between different targets and focus on the Landolt Cs. At the end, the player receives a high score based on how many targets they hit, in traditional arcade-style fashion.
According to the paper, the game was played over a six-week research period. During this time, participants found that the more they played the game, the more their eyesight improved.
However, the research team also noted that the results are still limited, as the study only involved 10 participants, all aged between 22 and 36 years old. Additionally, the game seemed to benefit only those with simple myopia; those with more severe myopia were not affected as significantly.
One suggested reason for this is that the game may be alleviating pseudomyopia, a condition with symptoms similar to myopia, caused by constant eye strain, such as prolonged screen time.
While persistent pseudomyopia can lead to true myopia, it remains at a stage where it is potentially reversible, something the game may help to prevent. This is particularly relevant in today’s world, where many people suffer from pseudomyopia due to the widespread use of computers and smartphones in daily life.
With this in mind, the team plans to conduct further, larger-scale experiments in future to better verify the results of this initial study.
The Japan Times reported that the game and study have been well received among Japanese netizens, many of whom are hopeful about the findings, at least in terms of pseudomyopia.
“It sounds like people who only recently became short-sighted have a chance,” said one commentator, while another remarked, “Recovering your eyes through video games feels like a dream.”
This is not the first study to explore how video games may improve a person’s health. Prior research has found that video games offer several benefits, including for mental health, as they can help players relax or relieve stress. They have also been shown to improve attention and memory, hand-eye coordination, and problem-solving skills.
With so much early media saying that video games “rot your brain”, it’s encouraging to see studies showing quite the opposite. Hopefully, Kwansei Gakuin University’s future studies go well, and we can learn even more about the benefits of playing video games.
Words by Alex Daud Briggs
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