Systems and methods for manipulating light from ambient light sources

The present invention relates to a user-wearable display device comprising: a frame configured to mount on a user; an augmented reality display attached to the frame and configured to direct images to an eye of the user; a variable optical material that undergoes a physical and/or a chemical change in response to a stimulus; a source configured to provide the stimulus; and processing electronics configured to: store one or more locations of ambient light sources in the environment; determine the user's position within an environment surrounding the user; and trigger the source to provide the stimulus to the variable optical material to effect a physical and/or a chemical change in the material based on the user's position in the environment such that at least one of an intensity of ambient light, a spectral content of ambient light, or a direction of ambient light is changed, wherein the stimulus is provided based on the user's position relative to the one or more stored locations of ambient light sources.