Zenni Optical is introducing its new vision health-focused technology—the Virtual Reality (VR) Vision Screener—during the 2024 Vision Expo West (VEW) meeting this week.
What to know about Zenni?
The San Francisco, California-based online eyewear company provides cost-efficient and accessible prescription eyewear.
Among its in-house-manufactured prescription lenses and prescription glasses are Transitions lenses, blue light glasses, designer brands, and polarized/prescription sunglasses.
So what does this latest offering entail?
The VR Vision Screener is a “first of its kind” visual acuity (VA) screening tool that incorporates VR technology to provide clinically validated vision assessments.
Its purpose: The screener provides an easy-to-follow vision assessment to identify potential vision issues before a patient receives their full exam—acting as a “preliminary screening tool” by then referring patients to a local eye care professional (ECP) for a more comprehensive examination.
- Important to note: It’s intended to be used as a complement to—and not a replacement for— traditional eye exams.
And how does it work?
Quite simply: Patients wear a VR headset and are then guided through an interactive, (ideally) easy-to-follow visual assessment.
About the testing: The screening utilizes the Landolt C chart, a globally standardized visual acuity test, in a controlled virtual space.
- Time it takes for results: 5 minutes after screening, according to the company.
What kind of technology is this integrated with?
Zenni noted that the VR Vision Screener can be integrated with Meta Quest 3, along with other leading VR headsets.
About the Meta Quest 3: This next-generation VR headset was developed by a division of Meta (Reality Labs) that offers consumers a mixed VR immersive experience.
Compared to its previous version—Meta Quest 2—the headset is designed to feature a:
- 30% leap in visual resolution
- 40% louder audio range for enhanced 3D surround sound
- Thinner shape for added user comfort (and the ability to be worn over glasses)
Hold up. Didn’t Zenni and Meta partner on VR?
They did! In fact, the companies launched a partnership in September 2023.
- What that involved: The duo developed VR prescription lens inserts for the Meta Quest 3 headset. Learn more about the collaboration.
So … is this VR Vision Screener available yet?
Not to the public … Zenni expects to kick off an official product launch before the end of 2024.
And as a bonus: If you’re attending VEW this weekend, stop by the Zenni booth #P18025 for a demo incorporating the Meta Quest 3 headset!