A method for assembling a head mounted display defining directional axes X, Y, Z, the method comprising: providing an outer frame, wherein the X-axis is defined as horizontally left to right according to a user wearing the head mounted display and generally follows a top portion of the outer frame, the Y-axis is defined as a vertical axis that is approximately aligned with a gravitational reference when the head mounted display is in use and a user is standing or sitting up, and the Z-axis is defined as being approximately aligned with a line of sight of the user, when the user is looking forwardly through the head mounted display in a forward direction; providing a rigid structural frame including an upper rim and a lower rim, the upper rim defining an upper portion of the structural frame with respect to the Y-axis and the lower rim defining a lower portion of the structural frame with respect to the Y-axis; forming an inner optical assembly by assembling optical components to the structural frame including left and right micro-displays configured to generate an image, and a plurality of reflective optical components (122, 126, 130) configured to direct the image to a user's eyes, wherein the structural frame maintains the optical components in alignment to define an optical light path for reflectively guiding a light ray bundle from the micro-displays to the user's eyes, the entire optical path being progressively directed downward with respect to the Y-axis, while being directed in alternating forward and rearward directions with respect to the Z-axis as the light rays travel the light path from the micro-displays to the user's eye; and assembling the outer frame to the inner optical assembly to provide protection for the optical components of the head-mounted display for the user. providing an outer frame, wherein the X-axis is defined as horizontally left to right according to a user wearing the head mounted display and generally follows a top portion of the outer frame, the Y-axis is defined as a vertical axis that is approximately aligned with a gravitational reference when the head mounted display is in use and a user is standing or sitting up, and the Z-axis is defined as being approximately aligned with a line of sight of the user, when the user is looking forwardly through the head mounted display in a forward direction; providing a rigid structural frame including an upper rim and a lower rim, the upper rim defining an upper portion of the structural frame with respect to the Y-axis and the lower rim defining a lower portion of the structural frame with respect to the Y-axis; forming an inner optical assembly by assembling optical components to the structural frame including left and right micro-displays configured to generate an image, and a plurality of reflective optical components (122, 126, 130) configured to direct the image to a user's eyes, wherein the structural frame maintains the optical components in alignment to define an optical light path for reflectively guiding a light ray bundle from the micro-displays to the user's eyes, the entire optical path being progressively directed downward with respect to the Y-axis, while being directed in alternating forward and rearward directions with respect to the Z-axis as the light rays travel the light path from the micro-displays to the user's eye; and assembling the outer frame to the inner optical assembly to provide protection for the optical components of the head-mounted display for the user.