A virtual reality system for quantifying functional visual capabilities of a user at varying assessment conditions (e.g., varying light, contrast, color conditions), using a head-mountable display. In addition to the high relevance to users with optical conditions, the present embodiments can lead to rapid and simple measurements within the controlled and reproducible testing conditions that virtual reality can offer. The virtual environment system can obtain a selection of a task to be performed. During execution of the task, a virtual environment optical setting (e.g., a modified lighting setting in the virtual environment display) can be dynamically modified. The user can interact with the objects during execution of the task, which can provide an insight into functional visual capabilities of the user. After completion of the task, an output can be generated that quantifies a functional visual capability of the user during execution of the task.