This is a programmable backlight display for head-mounted displays that dynamically steers light to the viewer’s pupil based on real-time eye tracking. This method reduces power consumption by illuminating only the necessary region corresponding to the pupil location, while also improving brightness uniformity and efficiency. It also helps mitigate the vergence accommodation conflict, which occurs when the brain receives conflicting depth cues for visual focusing, and can result in eye strain, headaches, blurred vision, dizziness, or nausea. This invention offers a compact and power-efficient solution for next-generation mixed and virtual reality systems. Background: Head-mounted displays (HMDs) are wearable devices that present visual information directly in front of a user's eyes, often using small screens or optical systems integrated into a headset. HMDs are used across a wide range of applications, from virtual and augmented reality experiences in gaming and training to industrial design, medical visualization, and remote collaboration. Modern HMDs can offer immersive environments, real-time data overlays, and even spatial interaction, making them key tools in both entertainment and professional fields. Conventional HMDs waste a lot of light energy by illuminating the entire eye box, whereas this invention uses less energy while steering light to viewer’s pupil for 3D scene rendering with correct focus cues. Applications:
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