If you have been using a VR headset for a while now, you must have realized that the critical component of any virtual reality experience is the lenses used in your VR headset. Your entire experience can be ruined if those get scratched or damaged.
The good news is it’s no trouble at all to find replacement lenses for your VR headset, as long as it’s from a well-known brand, like the Oculus Quest 2.
What about when your VR lenses are perfectly intact? In that case, you might want to swap them out for a custom prescription lens. This can be a lifesaver for all the folks out there who need a pair of glasses to see, like me.
Sound interesting? Pause all your other activities for a couple of minutes and start reading this article to know more.
Can You Change the Lens on an Oculus Quest 2?
Yes, you can change the lens on an Oculus Quest 2 and several other virtual reality headsets with little to no hassle. An important point to note here is that the replacement lenses should be made explicitly for your VR headset for this to work.
This means that if the manufacturer of your VR headset does not sell lenses separately, you might have trouble finding a proper replacement.
Even if you don’t need any prescription lenses or you are already having a pleasant experience without additional lenses, I recommend you to order separate lenses as these can help protect your original lenses from unexpected damage.
Another reason to opt for custom lenses is to protect your eyesight and improve your sleep schedule by using lenses that use Blueguard coating. This basically removes most of the harmful blue light radiation.
Some third-party companies produce and sell VR lenses, but those are typically only for the top VR headsets like Oculus Quest 2, HTC Vive, and PSVR. Once you have made sure there are replacement lenses available for your headset, you will need to check your budget.
Virtual Reality lenses do not come for cheap, especially if you are looking for a prescription lens, but if you are lucky, you can get some special offers or discounts every now and then.
So, how exactly can you get one of these lenses? Go to the next section to find the answer to that.
Check out the easiest way to VR Oculus Quest 2: troubleshoot hand tracking issues.
How to Get Prescription Lenses for My VR Headset
You can get prescription lenses for your VR headset in many different ways. Still, the simplest and most reliable method is to go to the closest electronics accessories store and ask them for VR replacement lenses. They will definitely have some in stock if they are a reputable store.
You can also look for them in online stores or on the official pages of your VR headset.
Here is a list of all the VR headsets that have pre-developed lenses that are specifically made for them:
| Brand | Headset |
|---|---|
| Oculus / Meta | Oculus Rift CV1, Oculus Rift S, Oculus Go, Oculus / Meta Quest 2 |
| Valve | Valve Index |
| Sony | PlayStation VR (PSVR) |
| HTC | HTC Vive, HTC Vive Pro, HTC Vive Focus 3 |
| Samsung | Samsung Odyssey |
| HP | HP Reverb, HP Reverb G2 |
| N/A | Pico G2 4K, Varjo Aero, DJI HD FPV Goggles |
If the headset you are using is not mentioned in the list, don’t worry, you might find it in online stores like Amazon, but they might not fit correctly since they are not made for your VR headset specifically.
If you don’t want to use Amazon, I highly recommend you purchase your VR lenses from the VRLensLab website. I personally used their product, and the lens quality is fantastic.
An important point to note when ordering prescription lenses online is always to provide the seller with all the correct prescription information before the order is shipped.
Since there is a large variety of VR lenses available in the market right now, the prices for these lenses can be all over the place. So, here is the minimum budget you need to keep in mind for getting good quality lenses at the perfect price:
- Around $60 for non-prescription lenses.
- $100 to $150 for prescription lenses.
Now that you know where to get your VR lens replacement let’s focus on what to do once you have it in the next section.
How Do You Install a VR Lens
Since your virtual reality headset can become utterly useless if the lenses get damaged, you’ll want to make sure to understand the entire process before moving on to the installation stage.
Don’t worry, replacing lenses on virtual reality glasses is a piece of cake, and I’m going to walk you through every step.
Here are the steps to install a VR lens:
- Take your VR headset and detach the head strap from it.
- Next, grab the lenses and take note of the little grooves on the sides. This is included to simplify the process of placing them on top of the original lenses.
- Place the lens gently on top of the original lenses in the VR headset. The lens should snap into place on its own. If that didn’t happen, try turning the lens the other way.
- You can test whether the lenses are correctly installed by turning the VR glasses upside down. The lenses should stay in place if it’s correctly installed. Make sure you have something soft below to prevent damage in case the lenses do fall.
That’s all there is to it. While the installation process is a no-brainer, it can quickly become a disaster if the replacement lenses you purchased are not the right fit for your VR headset.
A common mistake I have seen people make is installing the right lens on the left side or vice versa. You should not make the same mistake as this can potentially damage either the lenses or the headset.
On the other hand, what if your friend comes over and asks to use your VR headset when you have prescription lenses installed on them? They wouldn’t have the best virtual reality experience with a lens that was specifically made for you.
Well, the answer is simple. You can just remove the lenses by applying a tiny amount of pressure and pulling them away from the headset. I don’t recommend doing this often, though, because they were meant to stay in place.
You may also like to read on how to get custom lenses for VR headset?
FAQ
Question: Can I use VR if I wear glasses?
Answer: Yes, you can use VR if you wear glasses. However, the experience and comfortability might vary depending on the headset. If you want to enhance your VR experience, you can do so by getting a prescription lens for your VR headset.
Question: How much do VR lenses cost?
Answer: VR lenses typically cost around $60 to $150 depending on whether it has a prescription or additional Blueguard coating. You might see some for cheaper, but I suggest avoiding those as they are of low quality.
Question: Can you use Oculus without glasses?
Answer: Yes, you can use Oculus without glasses as long as you can see reasonably well when you don’t have glasses on. However, if you do have a prescription, I recommend wearing them if you want to avoid headaches and eye strain.
Question: What are piano lenses?
Answer: Piano lenses can also be referred to as non-prescription lenses, and as the name suggests, they don’t have any adjustments or power corrections. This means they are almost identical to the original built-in lenses.
Question: Will Rift S prescription lenses fit Quest 2?
Answer: Yes, the Rift S prescription lenses will fit your Oculus Quest 2. However, as they were not custom-made for the Quest 2, you will need to adjust your IPD on the inserts manually. That said, you can still have an OK experience with them.
Question: Will there be an Oculus Quest 3?
Answer: Yes, there will be an Oculus Quest 3 sometime in the future, though there haven’t been any official announcements yet. Despite that, there are multiple rumors that suggest that Meta will unveil the Meta Quest 3 at its 2023 connect event.
Final Thoughts
Virtual Reality has introduced a whole new world of possibilities for us, so there’s no reason to upgrade your lens to either protect your eyes or protect your headset, as that will only improve your experience.
Thank you for staying with me till the end. Have a wonderful day!
