Examining ZEISS Optical Inserts for Apple Vision Pro
Yesterday, I shared why I'm returning Vision Pro, citing blurred vision while using the device and lingering headaches and disorientation post-use.1
Today, I took a pair of frames that needed adjusting to my local eyeglass shop. I also brought along my prescription ZEISS Optical Inserts for Apple Vision Pro, curious to determine if the shop could measure the lenses ZEISS manufactured based on my prescription.
Upon examination, the shop identified the following discrepancies between the actual prescription I shared when I ordered Vision Pro and what was measured from the ZEISS inserts that were shipped to me.2
Actual Prescription
| EYE | SPHERE | CYLINDER | AXIS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Right (OD) | -4.25 | -2.25 | 160 |
| Left (OS) | -5.00 | -2.50 | 180 |
Measured Prescription
| EYE | SPHERE | CYLINDER | AXIS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Right (OD) | -3.75 | -2.25 | 157 |
| Left (OS) | -4.37 | -2.50 | 180 |
Calculated Differences
| EYE | SPHERE | CYLINDER | AXIS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Right (OD) | -0.5 | 0.0 | 3 |
| Left (OS) | -0.63 | 0.0 | 0 |
The shop mentioned that the ZEISS lenses might contain unspecified materials or coatings that provide additional correction, which their equipment could not account for while measuring. However, they also mentioned that they recorded discrepancies in the Axis values by approximately 3 degrees in the right eye and approximately 1 degree in the left eye.
Before taking any measurement, they also speculated that the way the headset fits my face and how the lenses were manufactured might prevent me from looking through the prescription at the intended spot.
I am admittedly way out of my league in terms of being able to analyze the data I collected but given my disappointing experiences using Vision Pro I thought my findings were intriguing and felt they merited sharing. I'm aware there could be numerous explanations for the discrepancies between my actual prescription and the measurements obtained, so I'm not looking to assign fault or accuse anyone of anything. Perhaps someone will be able to share more about ZEISS inserts. All that remains clear to me is that using the ZEISS inserts I received led to an unsatisfactory experience with Vision Pro.
I continue to consider my experience an outlier but it underscores potential challenges folks with strong prescriptions might face when using corrective lenses with devices like Vision Pro. From monitoring discussions online it sounds like some folks might be experiencing other eye related symptoms associated with using Vision Pro which sound like they could be subconjunctival hemorrhages. While I continue to have confidence in Apple's ability to resolve these issues over time, the technology, to me, appears to be remarkably early.
Update 2/17: At least in my case, I can confirm that ZEISS inserts are by design manufactured 1/2 diopter under prescription and compensated for by Vision Pro. It remains unclear why the left lens was measured beyond that threshold. Prescriptions for eyeglasses are typically given in quarter-diopter increments (e.g., -4.25, -4.50, -4.75, etc.). So, measuring a prescription like -4.37 is unusual and may indicate a rounding error, etc. Also, Apple literally says this in the interface "Rx may have been adjusted for comfort."
- I presume I am experiencing symptoms of vergence-accommodation conflict.
- It bears repeating that the shop mentioned that the ZEISS lenses might contain unspecified materials or coatings that provide additional correction, which their equipment could not account for while measuring. Though they also recorded discrepancies in the manufactured cylinder values too.