Is Apple Vision Pro Bad For Your Eyes?

Yes, it’s in the market and those who can afford are rushing to buy it. Apple’s latest sensation the Vision Pro Spatial Computer is already making headlines for its ergonomic design, futuristic technology, and a never-seen-before high-resolution VR display. Amidst the buzz, very few have wondered – Is Apple Vision Pro bad for your eyes?

According to a report, an average American student spends nearly 200 days a year in front of a digital screen (smartphone, laptop, tablet, TV). With the launch of the wearable Apple Vision Pro, the screen time is only supposed to go higher, as you can easily switch between the virtual and real world without taking the headset off. Although Apple has released a safe usage guide for Vision Pro, does it impact your eyes that much? Let’s find out!

Is Apple Vision Pro Bad For Your Eyes?

Apple Vision Pro features a high-resolution VR display housing more pixels than your typical 4K television. Given that the displays are positioned very near to your eyes and cover 100% of your field of vision, surely it is going to impact your eyes. Here are some of the most common issues you might face:

1. Dry Eyes

When you are immersed in a virtual world, 100% of your field of view is covered, requiring you to focus excessively. The more you focus, the less you blink, which can cause a lack of moisture in your eyes and make them itchy and irritable.

2. Digital Eye Strain

Also known as Computer Vision Syndrome, Digital Eye Strain includes all the symptoms arising from prolonged use of digital devices. Some of the common ones are strained eyes, headache, or a sense of heaviness in the forehead, in the case of Vision Pro. 

3. Motion Sickness

The combination of Vision Pro’s 4K display, high refresh rate, and precise image tracking may induce motion sickness, especially if you are prone to it. While you may not feel any discomfort while using the headset, upon removing it, you may experience symptoms like nausea, headache, and dizziness. 

4. Adaptation

As the headset covers your entire field of vision, your eyes acclimate to ambient lighting, similar to a smartphone or laptop. Upon removing the headset, your eyes will require some time to readjust to natural lighting conditions. This time can be prolonged for users with weak or aging eyes. 

5. Headache

Apart from the strained eyes, the headache may also emerge from the 600-gram headset resting on your face, particularly if you are using Apple Vision Pro for longer periods. 

6. Blue Light Exposure

Apple Vision Pro VR display boasts 23 million pixels, more than an average 4K television. Similar to the digital displays on smartphones and TVs, the Vision Pro screen emits blue light, which has been known to disrupt the production of melatonin, a hormone crucial for sleep regulation. As a result, extended use of the Apple Vision Pro headset may interfere with your sleeping pattern and reduce the quality of your sleep.

7. Distance Assessment Issues

As we interact with apps using Apple Vision Pro AR, there is a difference in how we perceive objects in virtual reality and how our eyes converge in real life. To put it simply, the actual distance between your eyes and physical objects in VR may differ from the actual distance. So, after extended use, your eyes might struggle to assess the real-life object distance, potentially resulting in eye strain and discomfort.

8. LED and Infrared Exposure

Lastly, Apple Vision Pro is packed with powerful inward-facing cameras, including the LiDAR sensor to monitor your eye movements. Although, based on current and limited usage data, these electromagnetic waves cause no harm to the eyes, we are yet to see the long-term usage result with Apple Vision Pro, sitting mere millimeters close to your eyes. 

How To Protect Your Eyes While Using Apple Vision Pro?

Certainly, the Apple Vision Pro headset is bad for your eyes, particularly if you use it for prolonged periods. Thus, if you have invested $3500 in this gadget, the last thing you’d want is compromised eye health and increased eye check-up bills.

Here are some approaches to maintaining optimal eye health while using Apple Vision Pro:

1. Regular eye checkups are important. If you are experiencing any of the above-mentioned issues, share them with your doctor and ask for personalized recommendations and a tailored usage plan based on your requirements.

2. Some eye specialists have suggested a 20-20-20 formula – take a 20-second break every 20 minutes of Vision Pro use and focus on an object 20 feet away. This will help you refocus and put the minimal strain on your eyes. 

3. Follow Apple’s guidelines for safe Vision Pro usage – a proper fit, maintaining a safe distance between your eyes and the display, and recommended posture. 

4. Keep the Apple Vision Pro brightness to a low level and use night mode accordingly. Make sure there are no significant changes in lighting conditions after you take the headset off. You can also use software to control the blue light emission and make the display more comfortable for your eyes. 

FAQs

1. Can I use Apple Vision Pro with eyeglasses on?

No. Vision Pro is engineered to fit your face in a way that it can block any outside light. So if you use eyeglasses, you won’t be able to wear it. 

2. Does Apple Vision Pro impact the eyesight?

Apple Vision Pro or any other AR/VR headset can have implications on your eyesight if used constantly without any breaks. To protect your eyes, don’t use it for more than 25-30 minutes at a stretch. 

3. Can Apple Vision Pro give me a headache?

Definitely. Using the Vision Pro for extended periods can cause headaches, emerging from eye strain as well as the 600-gram weight sitting on your face. 

4. How long should I use Apple Vision Pro to keep my eyes safe?

According to researchers, you should use it for 20 minutes and then take a 20-second break to relax your eyes.  

Final Word

The futuristic Apple Vision Pro is bad for your eyes and there is very little you can do about it aside from restricting its usage. While the issues highlighted in this guide are very common with heavy use of any AR/VR headsets, we must wait for the long-term usage effects of Apple Vision Pro for more accurate implications. Until then, you can stick to minimal usage with regular breaks. Please remember – Apple Vision Pro is expensive but your eyes are priceless!