The Apple Vision Pro is being used to help patients in a UK hospital visualize upcoming surgeries, expanding the headset's use in medicine.
One of the problems with medical procedures is explaining what needs to be done to the patients, in a clear and understandable manner. To help some patients suspected of having endometriosis, the Apple Vision Pro is coming into play.
An app developed by Medical iSight is being used in the Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, London, UK, in preparation for surgery, reports BBC News. Patients wear an Apple Vision Pro and other headsets, and are shown an AR model in pre-surgical consultations.
They are shown a detailed 3D model, and are guided by the doctor through what could be causing their medical issues. They are then led through what the procedure will do, with clinicians interacting with the model directly.
A patient using the Apple Vision Pro - Image Credit: BBC
The intention of the tool is to improve the patient's understanding of women's health conditions, including endometriosis, endometrioma, and uterine fibroids.
The program was originally funded by the NHS Trust's official charity, CW+, and the Friends of Chelsea and Westminster Hospital. First piloted in 2025, it's now becoming a standard practice for consultations.
The other side of Apple Vision Pro surgeries
This is not the first time that the Apple Vision Pro has been used in the medical field. However, reports in the past have discussed its use by surgeons, doctors, and medical professionals, rather than being used for patient communications.
This has included one London hospital swapping the Microsoft HoloLens 2 for the Apple Vision Pro in a spinal fusion operation in March 2024. However, due to the surgeons needing upmost accuracy, it was worn by a surgical assistant to follow the procedure and prepare tools.
A patient wearing an AR headset, as they learn about an upcoming surgery - Image credit: Chelsea and Westminster Hospital
By April the same year, the headset was being used more in surgeries in the United States, again by assistants. In May, it was being adopted by surgeons in India to perform laparoscopic "keyhole" surgeries.
Later in the year, surgeons were praising the Apple Vision Pro for providing high resolution images and better ergonomics, from not needing to crane their necks around to see various monitors and screens. It was said that the Apple Vision Pro was saving surgeons from injuries that would otherwise lead them toward early retirement.
