The problem is that just because a game gives an option of something doesn’t mean it’s intended.

ESO was not originally going to have a first-person mode. It got a first-person mode specifically for the benefit of players of the TES series, since those started first-person and then added third with Morrowind.

But ESO is not a TES single-player game. As an MMO (as much as people want to pretend it isn’t one), it must necessarily have different mechanics. Effects on your body - which you can’t see in first-person unless they have it glow on your screen - are important tells. AoEs can show behind you, which again are invisible in first-person.

The other issue is that getting first-person to work properly requires an entire second set of models. You can see this if you mod Skyrim or any of the other TES games - the first-person models for things generally only include arms. That means that all of these effects (which are either models themselves or glows attached on certain bones) would then need a separate first-person model… which is adding a lot to the size budget of the game. We’re already at the point where things are being removed from the game because of old hardware limitations, so it follows that first-person models of everything would mean less space for new content. That’s not worth it.

When I started ESO, I played in first because I came for the Elder Scrolls. But I learned fast that third was the proper experience so I switched. I can still get fully into character even if I can see the back of his head (and get jealous of how broad his arms and shoulders are), and now I don’t get blinded by effects and actually can see what’s going on around me.

And yes, there is an upcoming VFX toggle option in some form, but they recently started on that so we have not had any updates on that front since it is still early in the process.

I kind of agree with you and there definitely should be options to change the amount of glowy stuff in first person to improve immersion, even if it means you are handicapped because of it. Because let's face it, most of us use it only when questing, and it's really not THAT important to track every buff/debuff while you're simply questing in the overland.

It's funny because I had the opposite problem in single player TES games. I always hated how the most efficient way to fight and generally play the game was in first person. I customized my character to such a degree of detail, crafted the finest armors and inscribed it with the best glowy enchants - only to never actually see any of it in action because third person was goofy and hard to control in an actual fight.