In an era where screens dominate our lives, eye health is a growing concern. From digital eye strain to serious conditions like glaucoma, innovative solutions are crucial. Japanese researchers have developed two groundbreaking video games that tackle these issues in a fun, engaging way: a virtual reality (VR) game to improve eyesight and a mobile game to detect early signs of glaucoma. These projects, while promising, are in early stages, and further research is needed to confirm their effectiveness.
At Kwansei Gakuin University, scientists have created a VR game to combat myopia, or nearsightedness, a condition where distant objects appear blurry, often worsened by prolonged screen use. Developed in Unity for the Meta Quest 2, the game involves a target-shooting mini-game featuring Landolt C symbols—rings with a gap used in Japanese eye tests. Players use a controller to aim a virtual laser at targets, identifying the gap’s direction to score points, which pushes the target further away, forcing the eyes to adjust focus.
This system simulates vision training by activating the ciliary muscles, the muscles that govern the lens of the eyeball to change the focus point for vision at varying distances. Prolonged use of screens wears out the muscles, causing temporary nearsightedness, called pseudomyopia, and distant vision blurs. The game’s training, such as perspective changes, looking tasks, and stereopsis training, calms the muscles and builds them up, potentially reducing symptoms.
A six-week study with 10 participants aged 22–36, all regular screen users with mild to moderate myopia, showed promising results. Participants played the game every three days, and all reported improved eyesight, with those having more severe myopia seeing the greatest gains, according to India Today Gaming. However, the small sample size limits broad conclusions, and researchers plan larger trials to validate these findings.
Meanwhile, Tohoku University and Sendai Television have developed Meteor Blaster, a browser-based mobile game designed to detect early signs of glaucoma, a condition that damages the optic nerve, often due to high eye pressure. Glaucoma is a leading cause of blindness in Japan, affecting an estimated 4.65 million people, with 90% undiagnosed until advanced stages. Early detection is critical, as the disease often has no symptoms initially.
In Meteor Blaster, players hold their smartphone 30 cm from their face and use a virtual laser cannon to shoot meteors while pressing a “CAPTURE” button when white dots appear in their peripheral vision. The game assesses the visual field across 16 segments, assigning scores from 1 to 5. Scores of 5 suggest potential glaucoma, prompting users to consult an eye specialist. The game takes just five minutes per eye, making it a quick, accessible screening tool.
“It’s said that playing video games makes your eyes worse, but we reversed the idea and worked on developing a game for eye health,”
a representative from Sendai Broadcasting’s New Business Division told. While not a diagnostic tool, Meteor Blaster encourages proactive monitoring, especially for those at risk.
These games represent a shift toward gamified healthcare, making eye health monitoring engaging and accessible. By turning therapy and screening into interactive experiences, they could reach a wider audience, particularly younger generations accustomed to digital platforms. The VR game’s immersive exercises and Meteor Blaster’s quick, smartphone-based format lower barriers to regular eye health checks.
However, limitations exist. The VR study’s small, homogenous sample 10 young adults raises questions about its applicability to broader populations. Similarly, Meteor Blaster is a screening tool, not a replacement for professional diagnosis. Experts, including those cited in PMC, suggest VR therapy shows promise for conditions like amblyopia but stress the need for standardized protocols and collaboration with ophthalmologists.