A very concerning report by Bloomberg indicates health problems caused by using the Apple Vision Pro. Those side effects include eyestrain, headache, and vision problems. Hence, Apple’s most loyal customers are returning it.

I suffered eyestrain and woke up with a big red spot on my eye that was a popped blood vessel along with the worst headache I have ever had. That was one of those moments where I was like, Oh crap, this is not worth the trouble.

Apple Vision Pro: Eyestrain, headache, and vision problems

An article written by Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, states Apple Vision Pro’s early adopters complain about health issues caused by the headset. Thus, the return rate is high. “The Apple Vision Pro (AVP) has now been available for two weeks — and some of Apple’s most dedicated customers are returning the device to get back their $3,500,” says Gurman, who is an Apple fan himself. Bloomberg criticizes the headset and quotes Apple’s most loyal customers saying that the product causes severe medical issues like eyestrain, headache, and vision problems. For instance, Gurman interviewed Parker Ortolani, who is a product manager at Vox Media, talking about his experience using the AVP: “Beyond the discomfort, the Vision Pro led to medical concerns. I suffered eyestrain and woke up with a big red spot on my eye that was a popped blood vessel”. Ortolani attributed the problem — along with the “worst” headache he’s ever had — to the headset. “That was one of those moments where I was like, ‘Oh crap, this is not worth the trouble’”.

Reasons for returning the AVP

According to Gurman, there are five major reasons why customers are returning the AVP:

1. The device is simply too heavy, too cumbersome to manage, headache-inducing, and uncomfortable.
2. The current lack of applications and video content doesn’t justify the price.
3. The work features don’t make people more productive than just using a normal external monitor with a Mac — and they’re difficult to use for long periods.
4. The displays have too much glare, the field of view is too narrow, and the device causes eyestrain and vision problems.
5. The product can make users feel isolated from family and friends. Meaningful shared experiences don’t yet exist, and the Vision Pro can’t easily be passed around to others because of the need for a precise fit.

What’s the return rate?

Gurman adds that Apple isn’t commenting on the Vision Pro’s return rate, but data from sources at retail stores suggests that it’s likely somewhere between average and above average compared with other products — depending on the location. Some smaller stores are seeing one or two returns per day, but larger locations have seen as many as eight take-backs in a single day. If so, why are they buying it in the first place? It seems that the demos performed at Zombieland have been very effective, initiating a WOW response and therefore a high conversion rate of 10% to 15%. which is a very solid number for a product with this price tag. It appears that Zombieland works darn well. It will be intriguing to know whether there’s an FDA/CE Medical clearance regarding the AVP since it heavily interacts with your eyes. Furthermore, these health issues reported by AVP users should be taken seriously by Apple and their customers.