Hey.

I wasn't sure where else to put this.

Does anyone else get really bad computer eye strain? I bought a Mac earlier this year and a few months in I had to start wearing sunglasses and doing all the things people do to avoid CVS (eliminate glare, the 20/20/20 rule, breaks, turning brightness down).

I don't want to turn this post into an anti-Mac thing. But I dunno, does anyone else get the same kind of complaints from writing too much?

Admittedly, this year I've been pretty hardcore writing and I know a lot of professional writers suffer from one thing or another (eg. John August has really messed up hands from typing too much).

There are several different issues that could cause this, and the solution to one will work poorly or not at all if it’s actually one of the other causes.

First, you may have messed up your vision to the point of needing reading glasses, or your existing prescription is no longer strong enough.

Second, the blue light may be fatiguing your cornea, in which case you need “blue-blocker” glasses.

Third, it could be glare, even if it’s off-center from your fovea. Reposition the monitor or wear anti-glare lenses.

Fourth, the monitor refresh rate might be jangling your optic nerve. If you wave your hand in front of the screen and see several distinct hand images as opposed to a blur, try a higher refresh rate setting. If this is your problem on a phone screen, your only real option is to change phones.

Fifth, you might be putting your eyes through more contrast than they can handle. Test this by making the room roughly as bright as the screen. Some people use a “bias light” positioned behind the screen (this is why laptops have that glowy logo thing, but it only works if you’re near a light-colored wall).

Sixth, could be something entirely different, but try the above first.

Hope that helps!

You can try reducing the brightness on the screen. But Frank’s covered all other points.

Gabe

Best thing I ever did was purchase computer glasses vs regular readers.

i have a pair  orange-yellowish tint  don't wear them enough

Quoted from eldave1 Best thing I ever did was purchase computer glasses vs regular readers.

Are those the same as the “blue-blocker” glasses (Orange/amber lenses), or have they come out with something new?

My wife won’t wear the blue-blockers, so I keep an eye out for alternatives.

Thanks for the quick reply guys.

Yeah, I’ve considered the blue-blocker glasses.
I use NightShift - but I’m not sure if that’s quite the same.

I’ve tried anti-glare and they just give me a headache.
Kind of sad that one has to move around so much to avoid glare - close curtains, use table lamps, etc.

I don’t think I can do anything about the refresh rate setting?

Hmm. Your fifth point sounds interesting.
I spend a good chunk of the year working outside
(I avoided glare with an umbrella and also wore sunglasses).
Working indoors is definitely a cause/catalyst.

TBH. I think my MacBook pro (retina screen) is great but I don’t think my eyes can stand it.

I dunno. I might go back to windows.
For some reason Final Draft doesn’t look as good compared to Mac. But yeah, I’d probably rather have eyesight ha.

Thanks everyone.

Frank M.

I considered buying these over summer (but ended up just wearing normal sunglasses).

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0.....ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it.

Can't you lower the contrast and/or brightness?

Turning it down low is actually worse as I see flickers and suddenly I get glare again.

I dunno. Perhaps I'm not physiccally meant for LED/retina screens?

Quoted from FrankM Fourth, the monitor refresh rate might be jangling your optic nerve. If you wave your hand in front of the screen and see several distinct hand images as opposed to a blur, try a higher refresh rate setting. If this is your problem on a phone screen, your only real option is to change phones.

How does one change the monitor refresh rate on a mac?

Thanks for your help.

Quoted from The Dark Horse How does one change the monitor refresh rate on a mac? Thanks for your help.

Okay, I didn't realize the refresh rate is a hidden setting on a Mac. I found these instructions, but I can't test them myself to see if they work.

https://www.wikihow.tech/Change-a-Monitor-Refresh-Rate-on-PC-or-Mac

Thanks very much FrankM. I'll give this a go.

I'll ask my computer and get back to you.  

To be serious, it's best to try and look away and focus on distant objects every so often. There are also exercises you can do for your eyes and also don't forget out your neck and general posture since one thing can affect another.

Also, it wouldn't hurt to see an eye doctor and get other suggestions.

Sandra

Thanks Sandra.

Yeah, I can't help but think I just need to take more breaks and better care of myself.