An approach for ensuring the gaze of a user is directed towards a camera during a video conferencing session is described. A gaze detection platform determines a visual focal point of a user with respect to a display based on gaze tracking information, eye-tracking information, or a combination thereof, wherein the user is engaged in a video-based communication session presented on the display. The gaze detection platform further calculates an adjustment to the visual focal point to create a perceived visual focal point of the user with respect to a camera used by the user for the video-based communication session. The adjustment includes adjusting a use of an optical device, a change in a placement of content on the display, a physical movement of the camera, or a combination thereof.