eye fatigue

[Dusty Chalk]

Anyone have any solutions for the eye fatigue that results from staring at an LCD all day? In the ad from buy.com today, one of the items was a $50 pair of glasses designed for exactly that, that I'm actually seriously considering. Also, there's an overlay that one can put over one's screen. Anyone use any of these things? Are there other options ("go blind" does not count -- I'd rather not) that you prefer?

[luvdunhill]

Anyone have any solutions for the eye fatigue that results from staring at an LCD all day? In the ad from buy.com today, one of the items was a $50 pair of glasses designed for exactly that, that I'm actually seriously considering. Also, there's an overlay that one can put over one's screen. Anyone use any of these things? Are there other options ("go blind" does not count -- I'd rather not) that you prefer?

Does use a CRT count?

[grawk]

I get more eye strain from crts than lcds, personally

[Dusty Chalk]

I actually do have a CRT, but only one, and they're impossible to find for a reasonable price new, these days. And considering they fade, I wouldn't want to get a used one.

EDIT: And as Dan mentioned, I'm not sure they're any better.

PS Are there options when buying glasses to have them specially treated, does anyone know? I do need to get yet another prescription (in less than a year, I believe), I'll be asking when I go. I was just curious if anyone had any experience with it, or if it's not worth it.

[grawk]

I think the solution, Dusty, is to not use your screen as the primary lightsource for the room

[luvdunhill]

I think the solution, Dusty, is to not use your screen as the primary lightsource for the room

heh, again I think it depends. For me, turning off all the lights and using a back lit CRT is the best. Old SGI and Sun monitors to be precise. There have been times in my life that I've been staring at a monitor for some pretty insanely long periods, like 48 hours straight. I'd be interested in what you find though.

[robm321]

I have better than 20/20 vision, but I found out that I have an astigmatism (very slight). The doctor gave me some glasses just for the computer (other than that no need), and my eyes don't fatigue nearly as much when I wear them.

It might be worth checking out. BTW, there's no glare prevention with my glasses.

[aardvark baguette]

I just force myself to take breaks.

[909]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cGg9tjshInM

[Dreadhead]

Dusty, I have anti strain eyeglasses so not advice other than that. That said I look away enough I rarely ever break them out.

[robm321]

909 without actually playing the video, the dude looks like Paul McCartney.

[Spiug31]

might be worth getting your eyes checked and while your there ask the optician if they have any recommendations.

[guzziguy]

Peter, don't take chances with your eyes. Go see a professional to diagnose your "eye fatugue" as it may be something else altogether. Then you'll have choices for treatment/prevention.

I prefer an LCD screen to a CRT as I get no flicker issues from the LCD.

[CarlSeibert]

My opthamologist was pretty familiar with this territory when I talked to him about it. I'd go that way. It could be anything. In my case, it was a short term thing and some moisturizing drops did the trick.

My vote goes for the LCDs, BTW for less flicker.

- Carl

[909]

909 without actually playing the video, the dude looks like Paul McCartney.

because it is

[screaming oranges]

Look, even 909's smiley is suffering from eye fatigue.

[robm321]

because it is

Oh, so it is

I learned that same thing in my speed reading class in high school 1,000 years ago, and I'd say it is worth while if you do it regularly which I did for a short time.

Or you can just drive in commute traffic in a big city. That will have your eyes flipping all over the place.

[Fitz]

Are there other options ("go blind" does not count -- I'd rather not) that you prefer?

The trick is to not stare at the screen all day. Look around occasionally, deliberately blink more often, take short breaks, etc.

I never found out until I switched to contacts, but when you're actually focusing on things at the computer (i.e. working) you blink a hell of a lot less than normal, which can cause your eyes to dry out. So that might be a possible cause too.

[CarlSeibert]

but when you're actually focusing on things at the computer (i.e. working) you blink a hell of a lot less than normal, which can cause your eyes to dry out. So that might be a possible cause too.

Exactly what happened with me - minus the contacts part.

[aerius]

First thing is to make sure your monitor's calibrated properly. Go here and use the links & charts to setup brightness, contrast, colour, and gamma on your monitor. Most monitors are way, way off and that will cause eye strain.

At the same time, see a eye doc and ask for tips, and get your prescription checked out while you're there. Your glasses or contacts don't have to be off by much to cause problems, 0.25 diopters could be the difference between no problems and "dang, my eyes hurt!"

[Dusty Chalk]

Peter, don't take chances with your eyes. Go see a professional...

Thanks guzziguy and aerius, this is good advice, and I am going to take it. Honestly, I didn't even think that it might be something else.

And I actually will be trying the eye yoga thing, too. Seriously.