Immersive visual technologies and human health

Abstract

The fast-phased adoption of modern immersive visual technologies in many fields calls for an assessment of potential costs and benefits from the point of view of human health. Humans often reported feelings of discomfort in the experience of virtual reality (VR), however, it is still not known what may promote this uncomfortable symptomatology. In the framework of research on human-computer interaction, part of the discomfort derived from the use of immersive visual technologies has been attribute to technological factors. Among the most cited technological limitations is the vergence-accommodation conflict that human eyes are experiencing in displays delivering 3D images, and that have been connected to feelings of discomfort and tiredness. In the present investigation we attempt to briefly review the most important pieces of evidence presented in the literature, on the possible technological limitation of immersive visual technologies and its possible effects on human health and the way those effects were analyzed, and the ill symptomologies were assessed. Furthermore, possible solutions for reducing negative effects of the use of 3D media were shortly analyzed, and new perspective on the issue reviewed. Finally, we will attempt to assess the way immersive visual technology can be used in the medical field with the aim to improve human health.