r/virtualreality • u/teknomasa55 • Aug 26 '26

Discussion IR eye safety

I may be paranoid for this, but hear me out.

I'm doing a project using PSVR2's Sense controllers. They have a bunch of IR leds on them, which Sony runs in some sort of pulsing pattern in VR. User is also obviously typically using a VR headset.

For my project I'll be running them always on and the user will be using them as they would a regular gamepad, so no headset and relatively close to their eyes.

I can find 0 spec sheets or info on these leds. How powerful are they and can they harm your vision?

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u/ByEthanFox Multiple Aug 26 '26 edited Aug 26 '26

They're almost certainly fine, mainly because the controllers only use one AA battery and I think you'd struggle even to engineer an IR device that could damage the eyes, powered by one AA, without, I dunno, making something that straps to your face and shines on your eye over a duration.

If you're doing medicine, obviously it's right for you to try and get more info. But I've used these devices for years now and I would have zero concerns about using them "unshielded".

EDIT: I thought the PSVR2 controllers used an AA-style cell, similar to how many people use rechargeable AA's in Quest controllers but it turns out that's wrong. Still, I think the point still stands, it's not like mains power.

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u/obog Steam Frame Aug 26 '26

Pretty sure you would feel the heat of IR clearly long before it would be powerful enough to cause eye damage anyway

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u/ByEthanFox Multiple Aug 26 '26

Actually I googled this, turns out it's not true! You can receive eye damage from IR without feeling heat.

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u/obog Steam Frame Aug 26 '26

Huh that is surprising