VR Optician Prescription Lens Review: A Solution for Glasses Wearers

Image: VR Optician

Wearing glasses under a VR headset is not very comfortable. Prescription lens inserts promise to solve this problem. Are they worth it?

Although my frames fit the Quest (2) quite well, I have to constantly adjust them. I use Quest 3 with a VR protective case, which means that my headset will get stuck in the VR protective case on the left and right corners of Quest 3, and my headset may scratch the lens of Quest 3.

VR Optician’s prescription lenses promise to be the solution. Are they worth it?

The traditional company based in Zolling, Germany produces VR headset lens plug-ins

The company behind the VR Optiker is Optik Planet from Zolling, about 50 kilometers north of Munich. The legacy company has been producing headsets and other visual aids for 92 years.

Graduate engineer and company owner Arne Engler saw a niche in virtual reality and successfully filled it. His company has been making prescription lens inserts for various VR headsets for years.

Frames for prescription lenses are made using SLS (selective laser sintering) printing process. A high-precision laser prints the frame into which the lens is inserted, layer by layer, from powdered plastic.

Ordering, additional content and scope of delivery

可以通过网上商店快速轻松地订购镜片。 支持当前大多数 VR 头显，包括 Meta Quest 2、 Quest 3、 PICO 4 和 Playstation VR 2，以及 Valve Index 等旧型号。

The packaging of prescription lenses is definitely of high quality and is also designed for further shipping. Image: Mix

Lenses can be ordered in pairs or individually on each side, for example as replacement lenses. You can find your prescription data on your spectacle prescription card, or have your optician confirm it. Vision ranges from -16 to +10 diopters, the cylinder value of corneal curvature is between -6 and +6. The axis can be selected up to 180 degrees. Prismatic correction is also possible.

For VR headsets without IPD adjustment, you can also enter your pupillary distance. For some VR headsets, this may be necessary to avoid unpleasant distortions during use.

You can add extra content like Special hardened glass layer (protects against scratches), super anti-reflective coating and lotus effect layer Easy to clean. ZEISS BlueProtect blue-violet light protection is also available as an option.

The lenses are manufactured by Carl Zeiss Vision and then assembled into the insertion frame of the respective VR headset. Depending on the strength of the lens, the price ranges from 49 Euro Meta (non-prescription flat lenses used to protect VR headset lenses) to around 260 Euro Meta.

Lenses arrive approximately two to three weeks after ordering. They come in a special soft cloth bag and shipped in a high quality, sturdy box. Supplied with microfiber lens cleaning cloth.

Easy to install and durable

Installation is very simple, and each VR headset comes with a short video demonstrating how to install it. For the Quest and Quest 2, I used spacers (included with the Quest) to ensure there was adequate distance between the eye (opr eyelashes) and the lens.

The glasses fit the Quest 3 and are very thin and Clips directly onto the lens.

The prescription lenses are thin and fit right on the lens Quest 3. | Image: Mixed

The insert does not touch the lens and simply clicks into place. It is important that the lenses of the VR headset and prescription insert are completely clean. Any streaks or dust should be thoroughly removed before installation. Supplied with several wet lens cleaning cloths for pre-installation cleaning.

Prescription lens inserts fit securely It can even withstand the rapid movements of VR headsets. Cleaning is also easy without removing the lenses.

If you need to, for example, let a friend use the VR headset, just remove it. Prescription lenses are just as easy to remove as they are to put back.

More comfort and freedom when using Quest 2 and Quest 3

I purchased these prescription lens add-ons for my HTC Vive many years ago. The inserts are worth it for the Quest 2 and especially the Quest 3 because my glasses frames got a little stuck on the edge of the mask on the Quest 3 and were difficult to adjust.

The prescription lens inserts and lenses fit perfectly on the Quest 2, but we recommend installing eyeglass spacers. | Image: Mix

These inserts have been absolutely invaluable to me and remove another barrier to using a VR headset more frequently. Not only does it eliminate the need to fine-tune the position of the glasses under the VR headset, but it also eliminates pressure or occasional sliding of the glasses.

The only downside I noticed while using the Quest 2 is that in particularly bright environments, the lenses reflect some glare despite the anti-reflective coating. I didn't notice this yet with 3 Quests.

prescription lens inserts For Playstation VR 2

PSVR 2 plug-ins no longer require special design like Playstation VR. Instead, they simply attach to the lenses of the VR headset in the same way as the Quest 2. I've been using these lenses since March 2023 and they work perfectly. The installation is also very stable.

VR Optician Prescription Lens Insertion Test Results

One advantage of prescription lenses is that they are 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 suitable for people who wear glasses with built-in prescription lenses. But even with a tethered VR headset like the PSVR 2, the lens can significantly improve comfort.

Additionally, you get a (perceived) better field of view because everything fits perfectly into the VR headset. And: the lenses of VR headsets are protected and can no longer be scratched.

The comfort justifies the price. Even if you require high vision and pay more, you are making a one-time investment that will result in fewer settings for VR use and a more comfortable VR experience.

You can purchase the VR Optician Prescription Lenses plugin here

notes: I bought the lens plug-in for my HTC Vive. Lens inserts for Quest 2, 3 and Playstation VR 2 were provided to me by VR Optiker.

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