Vision Therapy is an amazing journey, but there are also so many unknowns and so many costs. If your office wants you to use Vivid Vision or Optics Trainer at home you may be looking for a headset for you or your child and may be feeling overwhelmed about, yet another, expensive VT cost. I have used both headsets and done both programs for extended periods of time and I am here to help you figure this one out!
So Which Virtual Reality headset is best for home vision therapy? The Oculus Quest or Quest 2 are far superior to the Oculus Go when it comes to both Vivid Vision and Optics Trainer. With the ability to interact with the game, high quality picture that leads to better depth perception, and increased games, the Quest is a clear winner. The Go is still amazing and progress will be made, but probably not as quickly.
To understand the difference between the two headsets, and why the Quest or Quest 2 will beat out the Go every time, read on.
Here is a link to purchase yours on Amazon.
If you want help finding a vision therapy office that offers virtual reality, you can fill out this form and I can help you for free.
What is the Difference Between the Oculus Go and the Oculus Quest for Vision Therapy?
If you go to a tech website, they will give you all the specs on what these VR headsets can do, I am going to focus on this comparison from a vision therapy perspective.
The biggest and most important difference, is the hardest to understand and explain for non techies such as myself, but I will do my best.
In the Oculus Go you feel like you are inside another room, it’s amazing. You can turn around 360 degrees and that translates into a changing scene in 3D. This is, technically, referred to as 3 degrees of freedom (dof).
BUT you are in a set position in the game, if you move forward in real life, that DOES NOT translate into the VR.
In fact, if you walk forward while wearing the Oculus Go, the whole scene just moves with you and you will eventually run into a wall. The same is true for moving side to side and up and down. The remote also is not able to move in those directions within the games.
While playing the Go, you are in a fixed location. This is not true with the Quest.
With the Quest, there are 4 little sensor/cameras on the corners of the headset that actually look at the room you are in in real life. Before playing any game, the player has a chance to set up their “guardian” which is basically the area you can move freely in while playing the games.
There are trackers in both remotes and in the headset that allow for movement in all directions and interaction with the environment, thus giving you 6 dof (degrees of freedom).
This functionality provides a night and day difference in how it works for vision therapy. Being able to interact with the environment makes it feel more real and allows for additional ways to improve depth perception, hand-eye coordination, spacial awareness, balance and, of course, binocular vision.
Here is side-by-side comparison of some of the other differences between the Go and the Quest.
Oculus Go
One Remote: Point and Click. Most games show a laser coming out of the remote that you use to point. Some games also require a combination of head movements with the remote to work.
Graphics: I thought they were great, until I experienced the Quest. Going back to the Go is like going back to an analog TV. It is much harder to really feel like it is real and see the depth within the games. It still looks different than just a normal video game, but not as real as real life. It is also more glitchy.
Weight: Super light, comfortable, and easy for users of all ages to use. The Quest 2’s weight is between the Go and the original Quest.
Price: $349 new, but it is very easy to find a used one for $100-$200. Just check local classifieds or Facebook.
Oculus Quest (2)
Two Remotes: Move the remotes forward/left/right/up/down within the game. In the games the remotes appear to be hands, pins, swords etc. Many times they vibrate within games giving more depth feedback.
Graphics: Wow. Everything feels so REAL and has so much shape, definition, color, and dimension. Even as someone who struggles with depth perception and 3D because of strabismus, I can still feel and see the 3D. I can definitely get “lost” in the VR world and forget that it isn’t real.
Weight: Heavier and harder to adjust. Even as an adult, it can be a little heavy, my kids don’t seem to notice.
Price: $299 – The Quest 2 is now available and the original Quest is only available used or for absurd prices ($499!), but both are pretty similar for these games.
Optics Trainer: Oculus Go vs Oculus Quest
Each of the Vision therapy apps has it’s own differences when switching between the Go and the Quest so I am going to line it all out here for a full comparison.
Overall, the quality of the graphics on the Oculus Quest make the 3D environment more believable. The picture is so dull on the GO. Being able to move around and interact with the environment and your hands makes a HUGE difference!
Here are the specs, from my limited patient perspective, of each of the games in Optics Trainer.
| Optics Trainer | Oculus Go | Oculus Quest |
| Tappy Bird | Click up, down, left or right for the bird that is closest to you. It has a more flat Background. | Each controller is a hand that can reach out to touch the closest Bird. Very active and dynamic environment. WAY better. |
| Brain Bounce | Follow the balls that are green, when they stop moving, point and click the closest one. | Same game, but it feels so much more 3D. You can move around the room and explore. |
| Color Discrmination | I don’t use this game but it seems similar on both sets. | nada |
| Contrast Camouflage | I don’t use this either | nada |
| Star Search | Great for Peripheral, | not included |
| Precision Pop | Point and click Balloons that match the middle Balloon. Flat. | VERY 3D, Each Controller is a Pin that must reach the correct depth to pop balloons. Player can move within the game. |
| Grid Shooter | The remote is a gun with lasers that shoots balls. Aim to knock out the correct boxes using visual memory. | Same game, but you can move closer and further to make it more peripheral. Also, way better graphics. |
| Fruit Samurai | Not Included | Each controller is a sword that is used to slice flying fruit. |
| Ice Breaker | Not Included | Each controller is an ice pick that must reach out and “break” the correct ice pieces. |
For more information on Optics Trainer, head over to their website, click here.
Vivid Vision: Oculus Go vs Oculus Quest
Vivid Vision and Optics Trainer are totally different, yet they have some major similarities, a comparison of the two is coming soon! But for now, I’m just focusing on each program individually.
I have both the GO and the Quest and Vivid Vision on each one. I played each game back to back on the same day to compare how they differ on each headset.
I do not see the doctor’s side so I do not know about all the different adjustments and functions that are available. There seem to be tons of different settings for Vivid Vision so I’m just going to include my experience of the settings that my doctor has set up for me, currently.
| Vivid Vision | Oculus Go | Oculus Quest |
| Pepper Picker | Pick the fruit from trees that match the “order.” It is pretty awful. The scene is not 3D and it is challenging to coordinate the headset and remote to pick the fruit. I can’t even play this game. It should be included on the GO in my opinion. | Amazing depth! Better than real life! Each remote is a hand that must reach the correct depth to pick the produce. You can walk around, look up or down to find the fruit, so cool! This game is one that makes a huge difference for me. |
| Bubbles | Move the small circle over the bubble closest, then click. Turn 360 degrees to change to different backgrounds that help see the depth. | Each remote is a hand. Reach out and touch the closest bubble. It is easier to feel the depth because remotes vibrate when you touch the bubbles. Only 360 degree rotation for body. |
| Step Vergence | This is very similar on both the GO and the Quest. There are similar controls and movement abilities. | The only real difference is that the graphics are more clear. My numbers were slightly higher with the Quest. (19 BI vs 20 BI) |
| Breaker | This game is very difficult to play on the GO. The controller is just a floating outline of a box that is used to hit a ball. You remain stationary. | Each controller is a ping pong paddle, you can move your body and the paddles in all directions to get the ball and it’s more interactive. Being able to angle the paddles makes the game more fun for sure, I don’t know if it affects treatment quality. |
| Jump Ruction | Very Similar to Step Vergence. Pretty much the exact same thing as far as movement abilities go. | I did a little better on BO (37 vs 34) and a little worse on BI (7.5 vs 8.5), I honestly feel like it’s the same for either headset. |
| Barnyard Bounce | The graphics on this one felt especially glitchy with the GO. It was still the same game, exactly, but the environment didn’t feel as stable, crisp or 3D. | This game doesn’t take advantage of the Quest’s movement abilities. There is only rotational body movement and no hand movement. It has other strengths. |
| Ring Runner | This is essentially the same on both, except a few different remote buttons, it doesn’t really change the game though. | As with every game, the environment is more stable on the Quest and the 3D is easier to visualize. While my score is pretty consistent either way, my experience playing the game with 3D is night and day different on the Quest. |
| Bullseye | Remote is a little circle that you put over the closest target, when you pull the trigger the gun shoots the water. You can turn your head slightly and slightly see which target is closest. | On the Quest it is possible to move around which can be good and bad. You can cheat by moving side-to-side and the closest target moves a lot. I like to be able to move closer to the targets where I can use both eyes more easily, then I work on moving further away. |
| Hoopie | This is pretty similar on both devices, except it is harder on the GO because you can only rotate, so getting the ball in the hoop is even harder for me. | This one doesn’t use a controller. There is a basketball hoop attached to your head and you move your head to catch balls. It is honestly really hard for me, |
| Tests | The remote can easily move the lines and it is easier to use than the Quest. This is the only feature I prefer on the GO. Graphics don’t really affect this one so much. | To move the lines you have to click and it can take a long time and I start to second guess myself. It’s not a deal breaker, but maybe I’ll write the developers a note to dumb it down to the GO level. |
To learn more about Vivid Vision and how you can start using their program, visit their website here.
Conclusion
After over a year of using the Oculus Go for home Optics Trainer and Vivid Vision, I thought it was amazing and I made a ton of progress, but once I upgraded to the Quest, my eyes were opened to a whole new world!
Even on the games that are played EXACTLY the same on both headsets, there is still a noticeable difference in the stereopsis level for me. These differences might not be apparent to people with stereo vision that is more developed than mine, but they are apparent to me.
When the image quality is so high, my brain has an easier time seeing the space between asteroids, balloons, and bubbles, and isn’t that the goal; learning to see the space and develop higher quality stereopsis?
Seeing the space is a HUGE key to success in learning to use both eyes. I have an entire course over HERE where you can learn how!
Yes, the GO will still give great benefits and I made a ton of progress with mine. BUT if I could do it again, I wouldn’t even consider using the Oculus GO. When you’re doing Vision Therapy plus Vivid Vision or Optics Trainer, you are already investing a ton of money into your vision, the extra $100 is worth it and I believe it will pay for itself easily because of faster results.
If I were an Optometrist, I wouldn’t even offer the GO as an option. Quest is best.
Here is a link to purchase yours on Amazon.
And if you want to see more, here is the video on YouTube where I talk about VR headsets.
Related Questions
How do I download the Vivid Vision or Optics Trainer App onto my VR Headset? For Vivid Vision go to your Eye Doctor and they will give you an access code and directions.. For Optics Trainer you can get the non-prescription version by emailing contact@opticstrainer.com and get the setup information there. For the prescription version you need to go through an optometrist.
Can Virtual Reality Fix a Lazy Eye?
Yes! The VR technology is amazing and with the right kind of eye doctor, usually a developmental optometrist, and the right program, Vivid Vision or Optics Trainer, you can strengthen both eyes and learn to use them together! Visit covd.org to find an office near you that can help.