Headaches After Using Vision Pro: Adjusting Pupillary Distance May Provide Relief

Users of Apple's Vision Pro, particularly those utilizing stronger optical inserts, have reported experiencing headaches following prolonged use. This discomfort can often be alleviated by making adjustments to the device's settings.

Unlike competing headsets such as the Quest 3, which accommodate users who wear glasses, Apple's Vision Pro requires individuals with vision impairments to purchase specialized optical inserts manufactured by Zeiss. These inserts consist of magnetic glasses available for purchase in Germany for EUR169, with a reduced price of EUR115 for reading glasses. However, variations in prescription strength can lead to discomfort, as the inserts may not always align perfectly with users' needs.

To mitigate headaches, particularly for those with astigmatism, users are advised to experiment with the device's settings. Apple has provided several recommendations, and users have shared their experiences on platforms like Reddit.

According to Apple's support documentation, users can customize the optical inserts to suit their eyesight by ensuring their device is running at least visionOS 2. Within the settings menu, under "Eyes & Hands," users can find the option labeled "Displays & Optical Inserts" to make necessary adjustments. This includes options for "Standard," "Near," and "Far," which correspond to how the eyes may feel strained based on the activity--whether reading or watching movies. Additionally, users can manually adjust the displays for finer tuning.

Another key factor in alleviating headaches is adjusting the pupillary distance (PD), which is the measurement between the centers of the pupils. Although this feature is intended to be automatic, users have reported that it doesn't always function properly. The manual adjustment option can be found in the settings under "Eyes & Hands" and "Re-align Displays." Users on forums have noted that even slight adjustments can lead to significant improvements in comfort.

It is worth noting that while users can consult with an optician for precise measurements of their PD, the Vision Pro does not currently allow for direct input of these values. Reports suggest that adjusting the PD/IPD may help prevent lingering headaches that some users experience after extended periods of use.