This study explores the effects of contact with nature on visual attention in the hospital environment. Using eye-tracking technology within a virtual reality (VR) setting, this paper investigates the influence of biophilic design on visual attention in patient rooms. Grounded in Attention Restoration Theory (ART), it examines whether integrating natural elements into patient room designs can improve cognitive functions by reducing mental fatigue. The study employed a between-subjects design, with 63 participants being assigned into three groups to evaluate the effects of varied biophilic design interventions: direct nature experience with living plant walls, indirect experience through digital media representations, and a blend of both. Participants experienced a patient room simulation through a VR display, during which data on fixation-based metrics (Dwell Time, Fixation Count, Time to First Fixation) and saccade-based metrics (Average Saccade Amplitude, Peak Velocity of Average Saccade) were collected. These five eye-tracking metrics were analyzed in relation to designated Areas of Interest in the patient room design. The findings indicated a significant increase in visual attention in rooms with biophilic elements compared to a non-biophilic control, supporting ART’s premise that natural elements draw attention and aid cognitive restoration. Direct nature experiences garnered more attention than indirect ones, underscoring the value of contact with real nature. This research contributes to the application of ART in healthcare environments by emphasizing the importance of incorporating biophilic elements into hospital design and offering evidence-based design insights.