Measuring Visual Fatigue and Cognitive Load via Eye Tracking while Learning with Virtual Reality Head-Mounted Displays: A Review

Virtual Reality Head-Mounted Displays (HMDs) reached the consumer market and are used for learning purposes. Risks regarding visual fatigue and high cognitive load arise while using HMDs. These risks could impact learning efficiency. Visual fatigue and cognitive load can be measured with eye tracking, a technique that is progressively implemented in HMDs. Thus, we investigate how to assess visual fatigue and cognitive load via eye tracking. We conducted this review based on five research questions. We first described visual fatigue and possible cognitive overload while learning with HMDs. The review indicates that visual fatigue can be measured with blinks and cognitive load with pupil diameter based on thirty-seven included papers. Yet, distinguishing visual fatigue from cognitive load with such measures is challenging due to possible links between them. Despite measure interpretation issues, eye tracking is promising for live assessment. More researches are needed to make data interpretation more robust and document human factor risks when learning with HMDs.

Automated summary

Virtual Reality Head-Mounted Displays (HMDs) have been introduced to the consumer market for learning purposes, but risks of visual fatigue and high cognitive load may impact learning efficiency. Eye tracking can measure these risks, but distinguishing between visual fatigue and cognitive load remains challenging due to potential correlations between them. More research is needed to improve data interpretation and understand human factor risks associated with learning using HMDs.