While Apple might suggest the Vision Pro is designed for all-day use, experts and researchers warn such prolonged use of reality-mixing headsets can cause mental and physical health issues.
There's an endless stream of YouTubers who've worn the Vision Pro for an entire day or longer. While their actual reasons vary, none of them imagines themselves donning the headset for elongated periods. And that's not necessarily a good thing.
"I do not believe the benefits of using a device like the Apple Vision Pro outweigh the concerns from a medical perspective due to potential impacts on users vision, cognitive functions, and overall well-being," Leon Gordon, CEO of data and AI analytics firm, Onyx Data, told Tech Times in an interview.
Gordon agrees the Vision Pro offers unprecedented immersive experiences and unique capabilities, thanks to its dual 4K micro-OLED displays and near-perfect hand and eye tracking.
But at the end of the day, he says, it is still a screen you're staring at, which means prolonged usage can still potentially have all kinds of adverse effects.
For one, using it for extended periods can potentially lead to a reduction in peripheral vision and all other kinds of visual distortions, as experienced by many YouTubers who've used the headset for several hours on end.
"Although these devices are designed for long-term use, continued exposure to screens near your eyes can strain your visual system," Suhel Rana, smartphone technician and co-founder of TechiAid, told Tech Times in an interview.
He points to the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO), which warns against long-term use of VR headsets, suggesting it can even cause headaches and blurred vision since we tend to blink less when gazing at a digital screen. This can cause the surface of the eye to dry out and feel fatigued.
Rana, who has worked with all kinds of screens, says prolonged use of AR/VR and even passthrough devices can have the same negative effect on a user's vision.
But that doesn't mean you should junk those headsets. Just like with other screens, Rana says moderation is the key. He again points to the AAO's 20-20-20 recommendation (every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for at least 20 seconds).
"Holding screens close to your eyes can cause [all kinds of] discomfort, but these symptoms are usually temporary and can be alleviated with proper rest and eye care," says Rana.
Analyzing the implications of seeing the world through passthrough video, researchers at Stanford University concluded that while it appears passthrough devices are here to stay, they will likely cause all kinds of medical and psychological after-effects.
The 11 researchers all spent a number of hours wearing headsets from Apple, Meta, and others that block out light from the real world and instead rely on passthrough video to offer mixed reality views.
They hail the past through advances made by the latest generation of headsets. Using them, users get a much deeper and more immersive experience, but can also quickly check in with the real world without having to take off the headsets.
"... but [these views] are still lower fidelity compared to human vision on parameters such as field of view, distortion, latency, and resolution," note the researchers.
Based on their experience, the researchers believe the headsets will likely cause visual aftereffects, lapses in judgments of distance, and could even interfere with social connection.
Even more worryingly, they think prolonged use of passthrough headsets could likely cause developmental issues. "We recommend caution and restraint for companies lobbying for daily use of these headsets."
The researchers urge Apple, Meta, and other companies investing in passthrough devices to work with academicians to find safe and responsible ways of pitching them to users. They quickly overrule the effectiveness of creating guidelines for use since these haven't worked with smartphones.
Instead, they point to soldiers who spend dozens of hours learning how to use night vision goggles before putting them to use in the field. They recommend companies adopt a similar strategy and provide thorough training and onboarding to users of their devices.
Gordon echoes their call for further long-term studies to understand the potential health implications of prolonged exposure to these mixed-reality headsets.
Based on his experience, visual fatigue isn't the only health concern that worries Rana, especially as the devices and the software running inside them get better. He fears they could potentially disconnect users from real-world interactions, becoming another possible avenue for digital addiction.
"The immersive nature of these devices also poses a risk for users to become overly dependent on virtual interactions, potentially leading to social isolation and neglect of physical activity," warns Rana. "To minimize these risks, it's important that users balance their digital and real-world experiences and follow recommended guidelines for rest and eye care."
About the author: Mayank Sharma is a technology writer with two decades of experience in breaking down complex technology and getting behind the news to help his readers get to grips with the latest buzzwords and industry milestones. He has had bylines on NewsForge, Linux.com, IBM developerWorks, Linux User & Developer magazine, Linux Voice magazine, Linux Magazine, and HackSpace magazine. In addition to Tech Times, his current roster of publications include TechRadar Pro, and Linux Format magazine. Follow him at https://twitter.com/geekybodhi
