If your monitor hurts your eyes (a problem also known as computer vision syndrome), there’s more than one thing that could be causing it. Instead, there are many problems that can affect your eyes. A few simple steps will give you a clue as to whether your monitor is causing damage to your eyes. We can also suggest other possible causes, basic fixes, and what to look for in your next monitor. This is not medical advice and you should always consult your eye doctor regarding any issues.
Are your eyes hurting because of your monitor?
With the increase in computer-based work, people experiencing eye pain are more likely than ever to blame their monitors. According to some research, it’s not a completely unfounded belief either. nature Suggests the use of electronic devices such as computers, laptops, phones, and tablets. Even in a short time of 3 hours a day It may contribute to “computer vision syndrome”.
Symptoms include watery eyes, double vision, dry eyes, and general eye pain. cross-sectional study About computer vision syndrome. In other words, any kind of pain or discomfort associated with screen use is part of this syndrome. If your eyes feel sore while looking at a screen (or right after looking at it), it’s worth seeing your doctor as it could be affected.
However, it is important to note that noticing some symptoms is not the same as an actual diagnosis. You may also have encountered other issues while using the screen, as most of us do. do Use screens regularly. for example, blue cross blue shield Recognize dry eye as follows most common eye problemssays itching, red eyes, and blurred vision can all cause symptoms of computer vision syndrome. While it’s a good idea to keep a close eye on your monitors and monitors, seeing your doctor or ophthalmologist can also be very helpful.
Why monitors hurt your eyes
Staring at the monitor too much can cause several problems. Here are some possible common causes.
monitor height
If your monitor is at the wrong height, you’ll probably feel it in your neck at some point. However, research conducted in an office environment shows that High screens cause eye strain At higher speeds than lower screens. Most people prefer a screen that can be viewed directly from the front, or a slightly lower angle (around -16 degrees) for comfort. Your monitor likely has a height adjustment feature, so if you feel it’s too high, take the time to adjust it. Alternatively, consider purchasing a monitor arm that allows for easy and precise adjustment.
viewing distance
“If you stand too close to the TV, you’ll go blind!” This sounds like parental advice from a bygone era, especially considering how close we stand to monitors and cell phones every day. But in the end, is there anything to viewing distance?
The same study mentioned above showed that participants preferred to: Viewing distance is 60-100cm (approximately 2 feet to 3 feet 4 inches away). Screens closer than the recommended distance have been shown to increase visual strain. Physically moving the monitor to a desk or chair position can help. If you have a small desk, you can also use a monitor wall mount.
monitor size
Sizing your monitor correctly is quite difficult, and there are several opinions about it, all backed by independent research. To boil it down to complexity, a smaller computer monitor is likely better for your eyes, but sometimes a larger screen is.
If you research screen size and eye health, you’ll probably come across references like: BMC ophthalmology research It affects eye accommodation when using smart devices, and the smaller the screen, the greater the damage. However, this study used an iPhone XR and a 9.7-inch iPad, neither of which are monitors and are not used permanently like monitors. Additionally, we focused on specific measurements: convergence ability of the eyes Instead of overall eye comfort.
But when you look at more general usage patterns of monitors and overall eye health, the results are different. Apparently Smaller screen is better. Optometrist Dr. Jennifer Leary says: Interview with OCuSOFTthe smaller the screen, the more comfortable it is for the eyes. In an interview, she mentioned a study showing that workers who use small laptop screens have fewer eye symptoms than those who use large monitors. She believes this is because of our behavior when using screens. The larger the screen, the wider your eyes are, the less time you blink, and the less time there is for healthy, protective “tears” to form on the surface of your eyeballs.
Refresh rate and screen flickering
Refresh rate and screen flickering It was done It could be a problem, but it’s somewhat unlikely. Humans stop perceiving images as individuals and begin to perceive them as objects flowing at about 50Hz, or 50 unique images per second. (Dogs, on the other hand, see unique images down to about 75Hz, which is why dogs couldn’t watch TV in the past.) Below this speed, they suffer from screen flickering that often goes unnoticed. There is a possibility that However, the typical lower limit for today’s monitors is 60Hz, which should significantly reduce, if not completely eliminate, eye-straining screen flicker from refresh rate sources.
It’s also worth noting that many popular monitors for eye strain operate at 60Hz levels or above. This is because screen flickering can be further reduced by methods other than increasing the refresh rate. for example, ViewSonic flicker-free technology Use a single continuous light source to change brightness levels instead of rapidly cycling the light source.
Conclusion: A higher refresh rate can potentially improve your screen experience. It’s even better to find a screen that focuses on being flicker-free or reducing flicker.
solution
Most people prefer high-resolution images to get sharper, more detailed images, but what’s the point? Science says the results are pretty inconclusive.
- one 2022 report from optometry reviews High-resolution screens reduce accommodative lag (the time it takes for the eye to focus on an object closer than what it was previously looking at), suggesting that digital eye fatigue may be reduced. I am.
- a 2016 survey Researchers compared 4K curved TVs to FHD TVs and concluded that 4K resolution (on TVs) is superior. maybe It’s even worse for people with relatively rare eye movement patterns.
Additionally, recent research shows that people rate Enjoy 8K video more than 4K It is very unlikely that images (although it is still unclear whether users can fully perceive them) have no effect on eye fatigue.
Conclusion: If you upgrade to a 4K monitor for looks, don’t expect your eyes to suffer.
blue light
Blue light is often widely blamed for causing all kinds of eye strain, but the truth is more complicated than that. It’s easy to panic when manufacturers who incorporate blue light filtering into their monitors label them with adjectives like “harmful” or even “deadly.” But research shows that blue light isn’t the enemy you think it is. However, it can affect your sleep physiology, and insomnia can affect your eyes.
don’t worry about blue light Instead, plan to avoid sleep deprivation caused by screen light (of any color).
brightness
If your monitor hurts your eyes, the brightness level of the screen may be the culprit. In fact, one great tip from the American Association of Ophthalmologists (AAO) is: Reduce glare and brightness. on the screen matte finish Reduce brightness caused by glare and soften bright light with screen brightness and contrast controls.
backlight style
QLED, OLED, and Mini LED backlighting styles are all the rage in consumer TVs these days, and you’ll be hard-pressed to find a high-quality TV that doesn’t feature one of these. But now that they’ve crept into monitor technology, are they hurting our eyes?
The answer is probably no, but the full study has not yet been published. For example, a 2020 study found that OLED technology still damages eye cells in culture; Less harmful than LED Illumination of tested parameters. However, at this time, there is still little research available regarding this technology, QLEDs, or their long-term effects on the eye.
your behavior and environment
As a final piece of advice, part of the reason your monitor hurts your eyes may be due to your actions, not the monitor. Concentrating on nearby objects for long periods of time without taking a break increases tension. Regularly looking into the distance can help.
For a long time, the rule of thumb when it came to preventing eye strain was the 20-20-20 rule. “Every 20 minutes, shift your eyes and look at an object 20 feet away for at least 20 seconds.” However, the pandemic and the rise of working from home has led to an increase in working from home. Examining the 20-20-20 rule From a scholar.
Still, optometrists will tell you that periodically looking away from the screen can help. Because while the 20-20-20 rule is fuzzy, optometrists can still tell us what the data suggests. take a break from work nearby It might be beneficial. That’s why optometrists recommend taking time off from work or staring out the window regularly.
Avoid computer vision syndrome with your next monitor
If you want to be sure that your next monitor won’t hurt your eyes, doing a little research on different monitors and types of monitors will definitely help. Here we look at some of the most important things to look for in a new monitor. However, before you begin, eye computer monitor screen protector If you want to save your current monitor, one with a matte finish is especially helpful in preventing glare.
Also, if you find that some monitors hurt your eyes quickly (and I personally do), it’s okay to go into a store and stare at the monitor for a few moments. Best Buy, Walmart, and Staples all have monitors on display for a reason.
TÜV Rheinland Eye Comfort Certification
TÜV Rheinland offers a number of safety and other certifications, but one of the most prominent for the technically minded is: TÜV Rheinland Eye Comfort Certification. The latest 2023 certification checks everything from flicker to ambient light management. Not having this certification doesn’t mean the monitor is bad for your eyes, but it can give you peace of mind when choosing a new monitor. It’s not hard to find out if an individual monitor has the certification, as manufacturers have had to pay for testing and proudly flaunt this certification.
curved monitor
Curved monitors allow you to quickly view a larger area of the screen with less eye movement. You can see the edges on your peripherals, and the screen shape doesn’t resemble a curved eye shape. In fact, a 2016 study found that participants had the following symptoms: Reduces eye fatigue and blurred vision When searching for information on a curved monitor rather than a flat monitor.
If you’ve ever checked out the best curved monitors, you’ll know that they have a curved rating, denoted by R. This is the distance in millimeters you should be away from the monitor to sit in the circle. So which R rating is best? In another 2016 study using flat, 1000R, 2000R, 3000R, and 4000R monitors, we found: 1000R was much better Eye pain scores from users are better than flat monitors.
Conclusion: Curved monitors have been shown to be better for eye strain than flat monitors, and 1000R monitors have been shown to be better for eye pain.
Try using your TV as a monitor
If you’re interested in using your TV as a monitor, you’re not alone. And usually there shouldn’t be any problems from an eye health perspective. However, TVs are made to be placed far away and tend to be larger, which can cause some discomfort. It’s better to choose a monitor that has flicker-free technology and is designed with your eyes in mind than a TV, but a small TV won’t harm your eyes.
conclusion
Remember that eye health is important. Although it may seem like your monitor is causing your eye problems, there may be other issues. If the problem persists, be sure to consult your eye doctor. However, keep in mind that most of the eye strain caused by working from home won’t be harmful to your eyes in the long run. You can avoid panic by adjusting your current monitor, changing its settings, or purchasing a new monitor to get one that fits you perfectly.
