1. A method for determining viewing orientation of the viewer's eye with a virtual retinal display, the method comprising the steps of: generating visible light; receiving the generated visible light at an input of a lensing system, the lensing system defining an optical path from the input toward an output, the lensing system output adapted for transmitting light to and receiving light from a viewer's eye; receiving, at the lensing system, output light reflected from the viewer's eye; directing a portion of the light reflected from the viewer's eye toward an optical detector; generating an electrical signal corresponding to the directed portion of light; and analyzing the electrical signal over time to identify select characteristics of the viewer's eye, the select characteristics being indicative of the viewing orientation.