There’s certainly no shortage of great accessories you can purchase for your Meta Quest 3 these days, from ultra-ergonomic headbands, to extra battery packs. However, the Meta Quest 3 prescription lenses are (in my opinion), a true must have purchase for many users.
These days, as virtual, mixed, and augmented reality headsets are growing more popular among consumers and business users alike, you’d think more vendors would consider the needs of people with eyesight issues. After all, around 63.7% of adults in the US alone use corrective lenses.
But, for whatever reason, countless headset vendors still overlook those of us with glasses. Sure, most companies allow you to adjust the fit of your headset to account for glasses – but if you’ve ever tried wearing a headset and specs simultaneously, you’ll know it’s not ideal.
Fortunately, Meta has a solution. Not only has the company partnered with Zenni on (really affordable) prescription lenses for the Quest 3, but it also allows users to add their own lenses from third-party vendors too. Here’s what you need to know.
Do You Need Meta Quest 3 Prescription Lenses?
You can definitely still use the Meta Quest 3 without prescription lenses, but I wouldn’t recommend it – particularly if you’re someone who suffers a lot with VR sickness. If you only need glasses for things like short-distance reading, you can probably use the Quest 3 as it is.
However, if you need glasses to see at a distance (like me), a set of corrective lenses will be crucial to getting a crisp image, and a comfortable experience. You might think that’s a bit unusual, since VR headsets basically place screens right in front of your eyes.
However, the focal distance for the screens you’ll view is usually a significant distance from your eyes (about four feet). This means if you ever find yourself squinting at something more than four feet away, Meta Quest 3 prescription lenses will be a must.
Can You Use Glasses with the Meta Quest 3?
So, why not just use your standard specs, and avoid the extra expense of paying for a new accessory? Well, you absolutely can. It’s definitely possible to use standard glasses in a Meta Quest 3, and I’ve actually experimented with doing this myself.
The headset is specially designed to give you enough space to wear a pair of glasses, without crushing them against your face. You can adjust the inner frame of the headset to ensure you’re still comfortable in your specs, by pressing the pill-shaped button on the device.
The trouble is, even with the adjustment options, wearing glasses and a headset at the same time isn’t really comfortable. Plus, getting everything set up is a little tricky. Depending on which head strap you’re using for the Quest 3, the arms of your glasses can get in the way.
After a while, I found myself constantly worrying that I was either going to break the headset strap, or damage my glasses. That kind of stress isn’t great for your “immersive” experience.
Honestly, paying for a pair of Meta Quest 3 prescription lenses is probably going to be a lot cheaper than fixing your glasses, and it’ll give you a better overall experience.
Meta Quest 3 Prescription Lenses: Your Options
So, what are your options if you want to buy a set of prescription lenses? Well, as mentioned above, the company did partner with Zenni on lenses specifically designed for their new headset. These are the lenses I tried myself, and I’ll tell you a little more about them in a moment.
However, plenty of other companies have recognized the growing demand for prescription lenses and created their own alternatives. For instance, based on a quick search, I found the following options:
- VR Lens Lab prescription lenses: These lenses can even be combined with extra features, like the “Relax Eye Set” to protect your eyes from screen light and blue light.
- Reloptix: These lenses seem extremely simple to fit to your Meta Quest 3 headset, and they come with extra light blocking capabilities.
- VR Optician prescription lenses: VR Optician offers lenses for all of the top XR headsets, including the Apple Vision Pro, Pimax Crystal Light, and Meta Quest 3.
- Hons VR: If you’re looking for fast delivery and durability, then Hons VR could be an excellent option, they even offer free shipping.
- VR Wave prescription lenses: Flexible and powerful, these lenses start at just $46, making them a little cheaper than the Zenni alternatives.
You can probably find plenty of other options online with just a quick Google search, or you could consider speaking to your optician. If you’re using your XR headset for work, I definitely recommend this option, as you might find your vision insurance covers the cost.
The Zenni VR Lenses: A Quick Review
Obviously, the easiest option will just be to take Meta’s recommendation and purchase the Zenni lenses specifically designed for the Meta Quest 3. They’re surprisingly affordable, compared to some of the other Meta Quest 3 accessories I’ve reviewed (like the Elite strap).
If you need prescription lenses, you’ll pay around $50, and you can also purchase a separate set of standard non-prescription lenses for $30. Plus, you can choose between anti-fog and oil or water resistant coatings, for an extra fee. Personally, I think these lenses are great.
They’re lightweight and custom-made for your needs by the Zenni team, accommodating prescriptions with an SPH of -.900 to +6.00 and a CYL of -4.00 to +4.00. Plus, they’re super durable, with anti-scratch and anti-reflective coatings. They even have a fingerprint-resistant coating, so you won’t be constantly fighting to see past smudges.
I love how easy these lenses are to install. Although some alternative options seem a little simpler, with included tabs or magnetic lock functions, you really only need to push the Zenni lenses into your headset to get started. Just press against the outside rim of the lens until you hear a slight popping sound. From there, you can put on your headset, and start exploring in XR (without your glasses).
I did think removing the lenses was a little tricky. You have to pinch the little rubber border with the tips of your fingers and pull, which can be challenging if you don’t have fingernails.
Another slight downside is that the thickness of the lenses added to your headset makes it hard to push the device too close to your face. That means you might experience a slightly smaller field of view. Still, I didn’t notice too much of a difference myself.
Should You Buy Lenses for the Quest?
There are plenty of Meta Quest 3 accessories I’d say most people could do without, such as the Elite Head strap with the added battery pack (there are better options to extend battery life).
However, if you do need specs to see well at a distance, you should get a pair of Meta Quest 3 prescription lenses. Not only will they improve your immersive experience, but I think they could ensure you don’t put your everyday glasses at risk by squashing them under a headset.
You don’t necessarily need to opt for the Zenni lenses, of course, although I do think they’re an excellent choice, and a pretty affordable option overall. Even if you don’t wear prescription lenses, I’d recommend considering a pair of non-prescription Zenni’s for their anti-fog capabilities. They’ll definitely improve your visual experience over time.
So, final verdict: Yes, Meta Quest 3 prescription lenses are worthwhile. Once you’ve tried them, you’ll wonder how you ever went without.
