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VR Vergence-Accommodation Conflict Simulator (2D)

Interactive 2D top-down diagram of the vergence-accommodation conflict in fixed-focus VR headsets: move a virtual object, change interpupillary distance and headset lens focal distance, and watch the diopter mismatch and simulated retinal blur that drive VR eye strain.

Perception & Optical Illusions2DModerate60 FPS📱 Mobile-adapted⇄ 3D version

Every fixed-focus VR headset asks your eyes to do two contradictory things at once: converge on a virtual object at whatever depth the stereo image implies, while keeping the eye's lens focused on the one fixed distance the optics are actually sharp at. This 2D top-down simulator draws that mismatch as a plain diagram — drag the object through depth, change the interpupillary distance, and adjust the headset's lens focal distance to watch the vergence angle, the accommodation distance and the resulting diopter conflict update live, with a blur halo standing in for the retinal defocus research links to VR eye strain. A varifocal toggle shows what an adaptive-focus display would do differently.

⚙ Under the hood

A 2D top-down optics diagram of the vergence-accommodation conflict in fixed-focus VR headsets, showing how eye convergence on a virtual object's depth mismatches the lens's fixed focal distance.

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2D · HTML5 Canvas 2D · 60 FPS target · runs fully client-side, no install