Summary created by Smart Answers AI
In summary:
- According to Macworld, the Apple Vision Pro may have found an unexpected purpose in operating rooms, proving effective in endoscopic lacrimal surgery based on a UC San Diego study.
- The device reportedly reduced operative times by 19%, achieved 100% functional success, and improved surgeon ergonomics, making its $3,699 price tag relatively affordable for medical settings.
- This suggests the Vision Pro’s true value may lie in specialized professional use rather than consumer entertainment.
When Vision Pro hit shelves in February 2024 with a $3,499 price tag, it was clear that it wasn’t going to be Apple’s next big seller. Not only did it cost more than most MacBook Pros, but it also didn’t really have a reason for people to spend that much on a headset. There were barely any games, a handful of immersive experiences, and no real killer app to lure people in.
Over two years later, the Vision Pro costs even more now (starting at $3,699 after a recent price hike) and still doesn’t have a compelling reason for most people to buy one. However, a recent report puts Apple’s headset in a different light. According to a study conducted at the UC San Diego Shiley Eye Institute, Apple Vision Pro is a remarkably effective tool for endoscopic lacrimal surgery. So effective, in fact, it actually saves time and money.
Among the study’s findings:
• 19 percent shorter operative times
• 100 percent functional success with no intraoperative or postoperative complications
• Significantly lower surgeon-reported workload
• Improved ergonomics
As the study explains, this surgery is ideal for Vision Pro’s design and functionality:
Endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy (endoDCR) has become a mainstay in the surgical management of nasolacrimal duct obstruction and is now common practice among lacrimal surgeons. Compared with the traditional external approach, the endonasal route avoids a cutaneous incision and provides direct visualization of the intranasal surgical field while achieving comparable success rates. Because the procedure is performed entirely under nasal endoscopy, with the operative image displayed on an external monitor, it is a natural setting in which to evaluate a wearable, head-anchored display.
According to Horace Dediu at Asymco, who assessed the cost and space impacts of the Vision Pro for the study, “within the context of the operating room, the Apple Vision Pro is notable for being very small and very cheap. It is less than 1% of the cost and smaller than almost any piece of equipment.”
So while you and I might not have $3,699 to spend on a new Vision Pro, hospitals would actually be saving money by investing in the headset over their current equipment. And with an M5 chip and Siri AI, the Vision Pro could just be the next big thing for surgeons. After all, how many endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy monitors let you kick back and watch a movie on the moon when you’re done with surgery.
