Apple Glass is poised to define the future of AR wearables, but the biggest obstacles to its launch will be dissemination and accessibility A new patent suggests that Apple may have the solution

As discovered by Patently Apple, the USPTO awarded Cupertino a patent for an in-headset vision correction system that would eliminate the need to wear prescription lenses under augmented reality devices The patent proposes a built-in optical system that corrects vision problems such as astigmatism and myopia

In other words, the system can identify vision problems and automatically adjust the display and lens refraction to help the user see

This would allow Apple to address the many people who do not feel comfortable wearing headsets; according to the Vision Council of America, approximately 75% of adults have some form of vision correction, whether glasses, contacts, or a combination of the two The report says

"If this is true and it works for everyone, it solves a shortcoming that I predicted would forever doom smart glasses in the consumer space," said a colleague of mine who was concerned about the testing experience of AR glasses, which require swapping in and out different prescription lenses, Henry T Casey said

According to Jon Prosser, who leaked most of the Apple Glass rumors we have heard so far, Apple Glass will offer the option of degree lenses for an additional fee to the proposed price of $499

However, that would seem to mean that one could submit a prescription when ordering Apple Glass It is unclear if the AR Glass can be adjusted if the prescription is changed

In any case, it is unlikely that Apple Glass as we know it today will support this vision correction system If it does, however, it would make the adoption of smart glasses much easier

This could be accomplished with Apple's mixed reality headset As the bulk of the headset is expected to increase, there will be more opportunities to have an optical system inside

And, of course, there is the question of who would want to wear a bulky headset?