Monitors and Eyestrain

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zenbu

26 posts

Geek

#22732 6-Jun-2008 15:08

I have been using a fairly basic AOC 19" LCD monitor for a year at work and simply feel like it is causing eyestrain. Hard to qualify, but just leaves me rubbing my eyes at the end of the day. I don't have such problems if I'm working off the laptop so it seems sensible that it is something to do with the monitor.

I've read various reports that long-term use of a monitor at 60HZ, which is all this monitor can do, will cause eyestrain.
I've read other reports that the newer LCD monitors only do 60HZ as there is no need to go higher.

Does anyone here have any input on this? Anecdotal evidence, graphic card & monitor suggestions maybe?

Sam

Mark

1653 posts

Uber Geek

#136003 6-Jun-2008 15:27

The first report you read about 60Hz causing eyestrain is most likely about CRT monitors where you can see the flickering at 60Hz .. LCD's work "slower" than CRT's .. basically as a screen of info gets blipped to screen it fades away slower, which gives less flicker ... roughly :-)

One thing you might have though is the crawly pixel thing going on, or a slightly blurry display ... this seems to happen a lot when connecting via VGA to the LCD, with DVI it's much cleaner. Have a close up look at a verticle line on the screen (like the edge of a window) and see if it shimmers a bit, and also look at rounded edges see if they are blurry.
Those would make you tired after a while.

Mark

xpd

Geek @ Coastguard NZ
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#136004 6-Jun-2008 15:27

I run my 17" LCD at home at 75Hz with no issues, have dual 19" WS at work, one is running at 60Hz and the other at 75Hz (for some reason, with the new vid card, pushing the 1st one above 60Hz gives really bad results) - I can see a difference between the two, but do not give me any issues physcially.

Ive also heard that theres no point at going above 60 on a LCD, but why have the option then of doing it ? (Altho, brings in the usual argument of why have a car capabale of doing 300k when can only legally do 100)

CRT's def give me headaches at anything lower than 70Hz.

If you have access to another monitor, then give it a shot.

Gavin / xpd / FastRaccoon / Geek of Coastguard New Zealand

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kinetic

91 posts

Master Geek

#136217 7-Jun-2008 13:56

Another thing to consider is your room lighting.
It's often over looked, but if you have average lighting, it could have an impact on your eye strain.

Can't quite remember what the recommeded Lumin's level for a desk work area is, but it could be a factor.

zenbu

26 posts

Geek

#137073 10-Jun-2008 17:04

Or it could be that 30 years of extensive monitor usage is finally taking its toll on my eyes, sigh...

pebbles

741 posts

Ultimate Geek

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#137086 10-Jun-2008 17:55

May be a stupid suggestion but during the day do you take breaks and look away the screen every once in a while? Also the little things like making sure your screen is set up the right distance away from you etc?

timestyles

424 posts

Ultimate Geek

#137088 10-Jun-2008 18:02

What is your pixel size? That may have something to do with it. You can calculate diagonal pixel size this way:

Size of screen (which is diagonally) / (square root of (horizontal pixels squared + vertical pixels squared))

ie my laptop 15.4 / 1024*1024 + 768* 768 = 0.012 inches, multiply by 25.4 = 0.306 mm per pixel. My eyesight is not the best and this is fine for my use.

Maybe you need (new) glasses?

zenbu

26 posts

Geek

#137093 10-Jun-2008 18:25

Pebbles,
I'm terrible with the micro-pause thing. I've stared at a screen for 12 hours a day for the last 10 years probably with little in the way of micro-pauses. I have followed standard advice in the screen/desk setup though.

timestyles,
21 / sqrt(1680 *1680 + 1050* 1050) = 0.0106 inches, multiply by 25.4 = 0.26 mm per pixel

Looks fine to me, and I haven't worn glasses yet... touch wood.

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RedJungle

Phil Gale
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#137240 11-Jun-2008 09:41

Looks fine to me, and I haven't worn glasses yet... touch wood.

A slightly different tact.. Have you had your eyes tested lately? it could simply be a case of your eyes needing a little help these days. It's pretty cheap for a standard eye test, I'd thoroughly recommend it to rule out any eye problems.

zenbu

26 posts

Geek

#139224 19-Jun-2008 17:42

Went to the optometrist. I have 'great' vision, but am a tiny bit long-sighted which means that my eyes have to work a bit harder to focus on near objects all day. She suggested glasses could be an option, but I 'may' only notice a difference if I was wearing them all day. I certainly couldn't see any difference with the test lenses and without. In 10 years I will almost definitely need them, for now it is an optional.
I'll probably do some of the ergonomic things I've learnt along the way, like moving the screen away from the window to reduce that contrast. Thanks all for your input.