Accommodative response while viewing augmented reality images in real settings using Maxwellian display

Abstract

Purpose : Maxwellian displays are a proposed solution for the visual discomfort caused by the vergence accommodation conflict (VAC) that occurs when viewing augmented reality (AR) images. Theoretically, Maxwellian displays can eliminate accommodation cues. However, the concern remains that accommodation will continue to occur when viewing AR images in the real world, as they are superimposed on actual objects. We thus investigated changes in ocular refraction and pupillary diameter when viewing AR images through wearable glasses that project a Maxwellian display.

Methods : Twenty-two healthy young adult volunteers (average age 20.7 ± 0.5 years) were recruited for this study. All participants were instructed to focus on the center of an asterisk formed by the liquid crystal display (real target) and Maxwellian display (AR target) for 29 s while wearing the Maxwellian display on their right eye. A binocular-open-view-type autorefractometer was used to continuously measure the spherical equivalent refraction and pupillary diameter of the left eye while the real target was displayed for 3 s. The target was then switched from real view to AR for 13 s and subsequently from AR to real view for another 13 s. Each participant experienced this stepwise stimulation 5 times for each assessed distance. The targets were presented sequentially at 5.0, 0.5, 0.33, and 0.2 m.

Results : While participants were fixating on the AR target, their respective accommodative responses at 5.0, 0.5, 0.33, and 0.2 m were measured to be 0.28 ± 0.29 diopters (D), −0.12 ± 0.35 D, −0.43 ± 0.57 D, and −1.20 ± 0.82 D. The response at 5.0 meters was found to be significantly more positive than that at 0.33 and 0.2 meters (P < 0.001). The respective amplitudes of pupil constriction at 0.5, 0.33, and 0.2 m were measured to be 0.07 ± 0.22 mm, −0.08 ± 0.17 mm, and −0.16 ± 0.20 mm. The amplitude of pupil constriction at 0.5 meters did not differ significantly from those at other distances (P = 0.175, 0.64, and 0.073 for respective comparisons with 0.5, 0.33, and 0.2 m). The amplitude of accommodation showed a significant positive correlation with amplitude of pupillary constriction (R2 = 0.187, P < 0.001).

Conclusions : These results revealed that the accommodation process operates using a Maxwellian display and is influenced by the actual distance of the real-world object as a point of reference.

This abstract was presented at the 2024 ARVO Annual Meeting, held in Seattle, WA, May 5-9, 2024.