does lcd screen harm eyes price
Perhaps when you were growing up, your parents limited the amount of television you watched because they thought it would hurt your eyes. It’s only natural then that you warned your own children to not stare for hours on end at their computer monitors, tablets, and smartphones. So does staring at screens really harm one’s eyes or is this an age-old myth? According to experts, staring at computers, tablets, and smartphone screens will not permanently damage your eyesight. However, doing so can cause some bothersome side effects, most notably computer vision syndrome (also called digital eye strain).
About 83% of American adults use digital devices more than two hours a day, and 53.1% say they use two digital devices at the same time. Of course, digital technology exposure isn’t limited to adults. Children use computers and other digital devices for playing the latest games, watching videos, learning at school, or doing homework. In fact, 72% of Americans say their children look at computer or tablet screens more than two hours a day.
Many adults and children experience eye discomfort and vision problems from prolonged computer, tablet, e-reader, and cellphone use. The American Optometric Association says vision-related issues are the most prevalent type of health complaint among computer workers. Studies indicate 50-90% of computer users experience symptoms indicative of computer vision syndrome. Moreover, the level of discomfort appears to get worse the longer one stares at a screen.
1. Set up computer screens so they are in the correct position in relation to your eyes. The top of the screen should be in line with eye level and placed about 18-30 inches from where you’re sitting.
2. Tilt the screen back slightly – about 10 to 15 degrees depending on individual preference. Maintaining this downward angle reduces the stress on eye muscles and also helps prevent glares from ceiling lights.
3. Balance the brightness of the computer screen to that of the room. Adjust desk lamps and window blinds so light does not shine directly on the screen. Glare screens can also eliminate this problem.
6. Take the time to blink when you are looking at the screen. Doing so cleanses the eyes with naturally therapeutic fluids. In addition, follow the20-20-20 rule by taking a 20-second break to view objects 20 feet away every 20 minutes.
Proper vision correction is crucial on the job, in particular for complex and/or repetitive computer tasks such as data entry. A study showed small uncorrected refractive errors hindered productivity by 20%, even when the computer user didn’t notice symptoms. And if a child cannot see a screen properly, this can impede learning and lead to behavioral and developmental issues.
The EyeQue VisionCheck enables you to take a series of pixel-powered tests to determine your refraction error. It is a safe, affordable, and fun way to test your eyes any time anywhere, as long as you have a smartphone and are connected to the Internet. While the VisionCheck is not for children, the EyeQue Insight is an at-home 20/20 vision screener for all ages. The Insight will provide instant results for single and dual eye performance and lets you know right when you or your children are not seeing clearly as they should. Use these handy devices to help determine if prolonged screen time is causing your discomfort or an undetected or under-corrected refractive error is playing a role.
If you are shopping for a new display, you may be comparing LCD vs LED monitors for eye strain. Or, you may be searching for the leading monitor for the eyes. Even the best computer monitors, after all, can cause eye fatigue with prolonged use. So which monitor type is better to avoid eye strain? Keep reading to find out.
Unfortunately, there is no easy way to declare either display type as the victor when it comes to reducing eye fatigue and eye strain, and this does include some of the top-rated curved monitors, too. This is due to the fact that eye strain and fatigue have different causes for different people. Each monitor type, however, does excel with certain scenarios, such as when you are comparing LCD vs CRT computer monitors.
Even some of the finest touch screen monitors sometimes can cause eye problems after extended use. Keep reading to learn more about monitor types, visible light, and vision syndrome.
Digital eye strain can be caused by repeated exposure to blurry images. If you are susceptible to the kind of eye fatigue brought on by blurriness and are comparing LCD versus LED monitors, go for an LCD screen with a refresh rate of 120Hz or above. This blazing-fast refresh rate will minimize blurring and, as such, any eye fatigue that accompanies it. Be sure to check which kinds of ports are available before making a monitor purchase, such as comparing monitors with DisplayPort vs HDMI, as some older connection types may not excel with high refresh rates.
LCD monitors tend to offer a wider variety of viewing angles, which can help eliminate the kind of eye fatigue related to geographical discomfort. Any monitor type can offer a perfect viewing angle, so long as it is placed correctly and you are sitting at the right distance. Even if you’re using a monitor in conjunction with another device, like the best monitor for Macbook Pro, you can get a good viewing angle from it. Still, in a pinch, LCD panels are the way to go. If you are especially concerned with viewing angles and the field of view, go with an ultrawide monitor with a 21:9 aspect ratio.
Indeed it does. Short-wavelength blue light is one of the primary causes of eye fatigue. Be wary when using digital devices to reduce digital eye strain and keep an eye on the brightness settings.
47% of U.S. consumers admitted to being unable to last a day without their mobile devices in a 2014 study done by the Bank of America, demonstrating the increasing prevalence of mobile devices. Mobile devices use LCD screens which emit blue light and thus negatively affects not only vision but also overall health. Continual extended screen time mainly can impact your eyes in two major ways.
Digital Eye StrainWhen we look at a screen, our blink rate drops significantly, thus causing digital eye strain. Signs of digital eye strain include slightly blurry vision after using LCD screens for prolonged periods, headaches, dry or tired eyes.
Though digital eye strain is temporary, if left unaddressed, it can turn into a chronic problem.The easiest way to address digital eye strain is to blink more as blinking helps to keep eyes lubricated. Alternatively, try using the “20-20-20 Rule”. Every 20 minutes, stare at something at least 20 feet away for at least 20 seconds. This exercise engages your distance vision and allows the eyes to rest.
Blue Light ExposureBlue light is the highest energy wavelength of visible light. This energy is able to penetrate all the way to the back of the eye, through the eyes’ natural filters. The rapidly increasing amount of blue light exposure that we get each day through digital device use is causing permanent damage to our eyes. The effects of blue light are cumulative and can lead to eye diseases like macular degeneration.
Children are especially at risk due to their developing eyes. Protective pigments which help filter out some of this harmful blue light are not yet present. The risk is worsened further due to their increased exposure to LCD screens.
Try minimising usage of LCD screens by reading print media or using E Ink displays instead. The InkCase, for example, allows users to read for prolonged periods with minimal power consumption by adding a secondary E Ink screen on the back of your phone.
Continuous usage of LCD screens can impact your eyes in few bad ways, that’s why LCD screens are bad for your eyes. For instance, long hours of usage of these screens can cause digital eye strains or the blink rate of your eyes to drop a little. Your eyes can start feeling tired and some sort of blurry vision.
Although, these problems are temporary often, and only get worse in few cases (who doesn’t care for their eyes while using an LCD screen). If you keep blinking the eyes during LCD screen usage, it’ll surely help in keeping them relaxed.
LCD screens (mostly) contains florescent cathode (cold) backlight display, other screen type LED however uses the emitting diodes that are light and are safer over the eyes. Plus, the cathode rays of LCD can be harder on your eyes. So, it is not that safe for the eyes as the other type is.
Experts say that screens like a computer, phone, tablet screens are not that much harmful over the eyes as we think. They can cause temporary damage like blurred vision (for a short time), tiring eyes, redness, etc. that can be resolved with time. But in only a few cases it gets worse but still can be treated.
Although both screen types have their significant pros and cons. But in the case of the eye’s OLED screen is considered a better option. Because they provide better viewing angles, resolution powers, better contrasts, etc. in comparison to the LCD screens.
Discoveries by scientists suggest that LCD screens leak few chemicals almost in every surrounding (environment). And these particles (chemicals) get toxic with time. Also, the breakdown of these chemicals is not easy and takes time, this increase causes a high mobility rate in the environment.are led screens bad for your eyes
In today’s digital era, millions of people have jobs that require us to stare at a computer screen for hours at a time, a practice that can damage our eyesight in the long run.
That’s because LCD, or Liquid Crystal Display, is a type of monitor that has a layer of liquid held between two pieces of polarised glass. But, theliquid pixels in LCD monitors don’t illuminate on their own. They need a separate component to backlight the screen, which is where LED comes into play.
Those LCDs that aren’t backlighted by LED technology use CCFL (cold cathode fluorescent lamps). They are cheaper but are far less common than they were in the past.
The quality of the viewing angle mostly depends on the type of LED technology that the LCD uses. Direct-view LEDs offer a better viewing angle than edge-lit LEDs.
LED screens are believed to last longer than regular LCD displays. It is estimated that LED displays can last for up to 100,000 hours, while CCFL LCDs reach up to 75,000 hours.
For example, viewing angle availability plays an important part in reducing eye fatigue. LEDs have a better viewing angle than regular LCDs, though you can improve it further by buying an arm mount to ensure optimal monitor position.
LED displays can also adjust dimming without affecting picture quality. For example, LCD HDR( high dynamic range), which uses LED, can dim parts of the screen to give a more dynamic colour.
A great option for casual and amateur gamers is a full-ray LED LCD monitor that has an IPS panel. These displays boast excellent colour contrasts, dimming options, and viewing angles.
DID YOU KNOW: One of the main causes of eyestrain is blue light. Some studies have even suggested that it affects sleep because it disrupts the circadian rhythm and inhibits melatonin production. One way to counter this is getting a pair of blue light protection glasses.
If you’re looking to purchase a good monitor, but you’re still unsure whether you prefer an LCD vs LED screen, it might help to look at the pros and cons of each.
If you’re still wondering whether you should opt for an LCD or LED monitor, the answer is simple– LED displays are always the better choice, regardless of whether you’re looking for a better viewing angle, picture quality, or anti- eye fatigue features.
Spending too much time in front of a screen can lead to computer vision syndrome, including eyestrain, all of which is caused by exposure to blue light. Blue light can damage the light-sensitive cells in the retina, which can cause vision problems.
One of the onlyadvantages of LCD over LEDis that it’s cheaper. LED screens are better than regular LCDs in every other way, including better viewing angle and faster response time, as well as additional anti-fatigue features.
I’m here to quell your health concerns: staring at a screen doesn’t damage your eyes. They won’t make you go blind, and your doctor isn’t going to worry about your health if he or she hears that you’re spending a lot of time in front of them. However, you might feel uncomfortable after a long time in front of a backlight, and you might even experience the symptoms of Computer Vision Syndrome, a fancy name for the eye strain and discomfort monitors can cause.
You could try adjusting your entire monitor and desk setup to remedy your pain, or you could use moistening eyedrops. The 20-20-20 rule also exists, which dictates that after 20 minutes of screen staring, you should stare at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds. Take a break. Those blue light-filtering glasses you bought could help, too, but doctors aren’t totally convinced. Science just doesn’t back up these glasses’ claims. That said, you could still wear them and hope for the best. They aren’t going to hurt you.
Whether you are working, reading, or mindlessly scrolling social media, screens are our constant companion these days. If you"ve noticed your eyes are feeling more tired, dry, and irritated than ever, that"s because of our new best friend the screen as well. In order to keep our eyes hydrated, our body is internally wired to blink roughly every 13 seconds, releasing the oil that makes up our tear film with every blink. But when we are looking at screens, our blink rates plummet by as much as 66%, meaning less tear film released onto the surface of the eyes, and thus drier eyes. As expected, studies show that people working and reading on screens report significant discomfort. In a 2018 study of 100 medical school students, screen time caused 58.8% of participants to experience eye strain and fatigue, 23.3% reported headaches, and 13% reported blurry vision. In this same study, 75% of the medical students involved stated they would reduce their screen time as a measure to prevent dry eye.
Which screen is the best for your eyes? Studies show that smaller screens with lower brightness settings, like e-readers or smartphones are the best for visual comfort and ocular surface health!
But reducing screen time may not be that easy. Since the onset of the COVID19 pandemic, average screen time use in the United States has skyrocketed, with reports indicating that the average American adult (age 18+) is spending over 13 hours per day looking at screens. That"s up from roughly 10 hours per day reported in 2019 and 8.4 hours per day in 2018. Knowing that cutting screen time when we"re being asked to work from home, attend school from home, and entertain ourselves from home is extremely difficult, can we potentially reduce our symptoms of dry eye by at least choosing the least irritating device to look at?
A new study published in Optometry and Vision Science explored just this and found that the screen that you use does in fact matter! The study looked at the ocular surface health and comfort of 31 healthy adults between age 20 to 26 after reading on a variety of different devices. Baseline measurements of each participant"s ocular surface was taken before using any screen time, including the Ocular Surface Disease Index(OSDI) questionnaire, the Computer Vision Syndrome Questionnaire, tear meniscus height, Schirmer test, noninvasive tear break-up time, tear film osmolarity, bulbar injection (redness), and pupil size. Participants were then asked to read for 15 minutes on a laptop computer screen, tablet, e-reader, or smartphone and the ocular surface measurements and questionnaires were repeated.
Study author Cristian Talens-Estarelles, MSc writes thatthe improved dry eye results with e-readers and smartphones are most likely "attributed to a lower gaze angle and the enhanced optical properties of the e-reader," noting that "the e-reader reflects rather than emits light from behind the screen, similar to how a printed paper behaves."
Smaller screen size.While it may be tempting if your eyes are bothering you to request a larger or even second monitor for work, thinking that a bigger viewing area will make things easier, the science actually shows making monitors larger or using multiple screen monitors is much more uncomfortable for the eyes. In a survey of more than 10,000 adults, only 53% of Americans working on a single screen experienced digital eye strain symptoms, compared to 75% of Americans who used multiple screens. Larger or multiple screen monitors require our eyes to be open wider and slow blink rate down as our brain focuses on peripheral vision to scan between multiple displays.
Lower angle of gaze.Research shows that viewing screens with a downward gaze is the most comfortable for the eyes because it encourages a more natural blink rate. Ergonomic research suggests and optimal screen height of 15-20 degrees below eye level. A disadvantage of larger and multiple screen monitors is that they are typically positioned directly at eye level instead of in this downward position of gaze which increases discomfort significantly.
Lower brightness levels.Reflections from our screens can cause significant visual discomfort, and studies show the screen we are looking at should never be brighter than the ambient room lighting. E-readers and smartphones, especially when Night-Shift mode is enabled, are superior options at reducing reflections and screen brightness to create a more natural viewing environment.
And with any screen use, don"t forget taking breaks is the most important thing you can do. For every 20 minutes that you are working, reading, or playing on a screen, you should take a 20 second break to blink and look down a hallway or out a window (20 feet away). This is called the 20/20/20 Rule and research shows it"s our best protection to keep eyes comfortable and blinking more naturally!
Some people are hooked to watching show after show, putting their eyes at risk. But screen type is not the only factor in eye-healthy screen time. It really depends on the TV brightness, room lighting, distance from the screen, and view time. How? Let’s break it down:
The closer you go to the television, the more your eyes begin to strain. For both kids and adults, it is not necessary nor healthy to sit close to the screen. The basic rule is to sit at least five times as far away from the screen as it is wide. So, if your television is 32 inches wide, for example, the ideal viewing distance is 160 inches or around 13 feet.
The recommended viewing distance for televisions with 4K resolution is one and a half times the screen size. The recommended distance for HDTVs is three times the screen size of the TV. These guidelines also go for children, who may be the biggest culprits in non-safe viewing practices. If you must, rearrange your living room to space out the good seats away from the TV.
How does that translate into TV screen types? And what screen type should people use to better protect their eyes when watching various shows on television?
The most common display technologies are LED and LCD. The latest TV display technology is OLED, which is only available on high-end TVs. The pixels used to provide the display are the difference between LCD, LED, and OLED. When compared to LED backlight, OLED has a far higher resolution and delivers cleaner, better graphics.
An OLED (Organic Light-Emitting Diodes) screen consists of numerous pixels that emit its own light. Each pixel is made up of three separate RBG – red, blue, and green – OLEDs. OLEDs are true emissive components that produce light on their own and do not require a light source. Meaning they produce a light that’s more natural and less harsh on your eyes.
OLED TVs also provide excellent color and contrast because they do not use light from other sources to display colors, as LCD/LED TVs do. They also, on average, produce around 20% less blue light than LCD displays.
Both LCD and LED TVs work in similar ways to each other. The only difference between the two is the type of backlighting. A TV labeled as an LED utilizes LED illumination for the white backlighting instead of fluorescent (CFL) lamps.
While LED LCD TVs are more appealing than CFL LCDs, they cannot compete with OLED panels since the LCD/LED front panel is a liquid color display that is not self-emissive. Which is the biggest disadvantage of LCD/LEDs in terms of eyesight. Although they produce quality images, the color and contrast from these displays are due to their light sources, so they give off more brightness that can cause eye strain if not moderated.
To sum it up, OLED displays are better for your eyesight. They have more natural lighting, better color contrast, and a wider color range. However, no matter what type of display you have, you will hurt your eyesight if you don’t practice safe TV viewing.
With useful technologies like smart phones, tablets, television screens, and computer monitors becoming so integrated in everyday life, it can be hardnotto inadvertently stare at pixels for several hours every day. We all know that keeping our attention buried in blue light can make our eyes tired after a while, but can too much exposure cause significant problems? Keep reading to learn the effects of screen time on our eyes!
The primary culprit of blue light emissions comes from white LED lights — specifically, the LEDs which backlight the screens of our electronic devices. Light emitting diodes are specifically manufactured to put out narrow bands of colored light which mimics white light. Despite us not being able to see it, a lot of blue light tends to leak out of these handy illuminators, which is why they mess with our circadian rhythms.
“While there’s no strong scientific evidence that blue light from digital devices causes damage to your eyes, there is a growing concern that blue light can have long-term effects on our health,” Dr. LaPlaca said. “Blue light exposure may contribute to the destruction of the cells in the center of the retina and play a role in causing age-related macular degeneration, which can lead to vision loss.”
While blue light and ultraviolet light dohave the potential to be harmful, our personal devices typically emit too low of an amount to cause any major problems. But that doesn’t mean precautions shouldn’t be taken to reduce blue light as much as possible!
When you look at a screen, you might imagine your eyes aren’t doing as much work as when you’re doing things in the physical world. In fact, quite the opposite is true!
Digital eye strain is a growing problem and frequent eye complaint. Just like while reading a book, your eyes are constantly darting back and forth while looking at a screen, jumping between lines of text and clinging to colorful, flashy images. This is a recipe for quick ocular exhaustion!
Likewise, people tend to blink less when using computers and other attention-demanding gadgets. This is because blinking and thinking are related: when our minds are intently focused on something, we blink less often because we don’t want to miss anything. Adding to the problem is the constant brightness of screens which naturally demand fewer blinks to look at. These conditions add up to tired eyes, which need a break from concentration every once in a while.
It’s not just computer screens, either. Research has shown thatanyactivity performed up close for long periods of time can increase the likelihood of developing myopia. Hobbies such as reading, writing, knitting, drawing, and painting can increase your chances of nearsightedness, to name a few.
The solution? Spending plenty of time outdoors and away from screens has proven to be an effective countermeasure against myopia, especially with children and young people. So go out and get some sunshine…but don’t look at the sun!
Because almost all of us need to use digital devices for day-to-day tasks, many people look for ways to protect their tired retinas from prolonged exposure. After all, a lot of workers look at screens for a living!
One popular trick is known as the20-20-20 Rule. Simply put, for every20 minutesof screentime, focus on something20 feet awayfor20 seconds. Working in some blinks will also refresh your eyes with a hydrated tear film before returning to the screen! You may also want to consider using blue light blocking glasses, which are specially made to absorb those harmful wavelengths. Other eye-hacks like downloading blue light blocking plugins, using warm screen settings, and angling your device at least 30 degrees from your eyes can help even more.
Artificial eye drops (without phenylephrine—be sure to check) are another effective method used to combat eye strain. Many over-the-counter brands are harmless when used as needed for immediate comfort. However, keep in mind that most artificial tears are held in bottles which release more solution than your eye really needs. Unfortunately, this is a corporate tactic to exhaust your supply faster, forcing you to buy more.
Nanodropper providesintuitive adaptorswhich fit over eye drop bottles to reduce the amount of drops wasted, saving your wallet and optimizing your eye health at the same time. If you experience frequent eye strain from screens, a Nanodropper Adaptor will quickly pay for itself and save you time and money!
When using a computer for prolonged periods of time, whether for work or pleasure, it"s important to protect your eyes from long-term damage. The following sections provide ways you can protect your eyes and reduce eyestrain.
Keep the monitor about 20 to 30-inches away (usually around arm length) from your face. This range is best for proper viewing and reducing strain on your eyes.
Adjust the height of the monitor or chair so the top of the monitor is slightly below your eye level. You should be looking slightly down when viewing the screen.
We recommend using an LCD or LED flat-panel monitor for your computer. The older CRT monitors are harder on the eyes due to the lower refresh rates and general design of the monitor. LCD and LED monitors feature higher refresh rates, high enough that most people cannot see the refreshing of the screen. LCD and LED monitors in general are easier to view for longer periods of time and cause less strain on the eyes.
Today, LCD and LED monitors are very affordable. You can get a 24-inch monitor for as low as $100, and a 27-inch for as low as $150. Curved LED monitors can reduce eye strain by providing a better viewing range, but at a much higher price point.
Some companies, like 3M, offer accessories for computers that help protect your eyes and increase your productivity at home or at work. Below are two of the popular computer accessories you can try.
One of the most important things you can do to protect your eyes is to take regular breaks. Taking several minutes to get up and not look at the computer screen can greatly help in reducing any strain and tiredness of your eyes.
A common recommendation from doctors and specialists is to take a five-minute break every hour of computer use. For that five minutes, you can get up and walk around, get something to drink, or do exercises to help increase blood flow in your body and your brain. These actions allow your eyes to rest for a few minutes.
Increased or long-term exposure to blue light causes eye strain and makes it more difficult to get to sleep at night. By reducing or eliminating the output of blue light on your computer screen, you can reduce strain on your eyes.
Install an application or extension that changes the color output on your screen. For example, Dark Reader changes your Internet browser to a "dark" theme.
OLEDs are true emissive components that produce light on their own and do not require a light source. Meaning they produce a light that"s more natural and less harsh on your eyes. OLED TVs also provide excellent color and contrast because they do not use light from other sources to display colors, as LCD/LED TVs do.
Samsung Display"s AMOLED can block potentially harmful blue light by reducing the illumination of wavelengths between 415 to 455nm while increasing the illumination of safer wavelengths nearby.
LCD screens emit blue light and thus negatively affects not only vision but also overall health. Continual extended screen time mainly can impact your eyes in two major ways. When we look at a screen, our blink rate drops significantly, thus causing digital eye strain.
Is LED or LCD Better for the Eyes? An LED display provides the option to dim the backlight, along with other eye comfort features. Not only that, it provides a wider viewing angle without harming image quality. Therefore, an LED display is far better for your eyes than an LCD.
LCD screens also tend to offer better viewing angles and a wider field of view. LED monitors, on the other hand, can be the better option with general eye fatigue related to prolonged use and blue light, as they tend to offer a more robust dimming system.
OLEDs are true emissive components that produce light on their own and do not require a light source. Meaning they produce a light that"s more natural and less harsh on your eyes. OLED TVs also provide excellent color and contrast because they do not use light from other sources to display colors, as LCD/LED TVs do.
Most people don"t have to use CRT screens any more. Those are the old computer screens with low refresh rates that created a noticeable flicker that made your eyes feel uncomfortable. Today, screens typically offer refresh rates of 75Hz or more.
So how does OLED stand out? OLED"s strengths when it comes to protecting viewers" eyes can be summarized by three points – low blue light emission, flicker elimination, and no discomfort glare.
Mobile devices use LCD screens which emit blue light and thus negatively affects not only vision but also overall health. Continual extended screen time mainly can impact your eyes in two major ways. When we look at a screen, our blink rate drops significantly, thus causing digital eye strain.
In short, yes. LED screens that are popular these days emit a great deal of blue light, which can be potentially harmful to the eyes. Therefore, watching too much TV, especially late at night, can suppress melatonin production that makes us ready for sleep.
So, while brightness itself is not a concern for eye health (unless you"re staring directly at the sun!) having your brightness set to a level that is more comfortable for your eyes, can also reduce the amount of blue light, which will protect your eyes from phototoxicity. References: [1] Camille Ryan.
The American Optometric Association recommends the 20/20/20 rule: look away from the screen every 20 minutes, focus on an object at least 20 feet away, for at least 20 seconds. In addition, children should walk away from the screen for at least 10 minutes every hour.
Since its introduction, one major issue that has plagued the OLED technology is screen burn-in or image retention. An OLED TV that you"ve been using for a long time may start to retain static images displayed on the screen for hours, like channel logos, for example.
OLED is much better than LED LCD at handling darkness and lighting precision, and offers much wider viewing angles, which is great for when large groups of people are watching TV. Refresh rates and motion processing are also better with OLED though there is the spectre of image retention.
But if you watch regular shows and movies where the picture is constantly changing, chances are that you will never reach the end of its lifespan, with LG saying their TV"s last for 100,000 hours, which is 10 hours a day for 10 years. How long does OLED TV last?
LG OLED TVs are also the first panels from any kind of TV to receive the Eyesafe® certification developed by TUV-Eyesafe®. *LG OLED TV panels have been certified as flicker-free and discomfort glare free by UL.
Protecting eyes from computer screens and smartphones is more important than ever, but effectively tackling the problem is more about prevention than treatment.
Simple preventative measures help protect eyes from computer screens and smartphones, and we’re going to take a look at a few of those measures in this article.
While not everyone spends every day looking at a computer screen, most people do use smartphones. Experts suggest that DES occurs in around 50% of computer users.
There is no evidence that strain makes your eyesight worse in the long run, but it does cause extreme discomfort and makes getting through a work day difficult.
How exactly does the screen affect your eyes? There are several signs to look out for, they can vary slightly depending on whether you use a computer or a smartphone. Let’s take a look at some of those complaints, and discuss how you can avoid them. The American Optometric Association recognizes the most common symptoms of eye strain are:Headaches
When looking at a high resolution screen, we subconsciously blink less, other pain responses can also decrease causing the body to not signal that something is wrong. This is particularly common with computer use and is called “computer vision syndrome”. Over long periods of time, this can be harmful to your overal eye health. When working on a computer all day, these symptoms can arise after using a screen for prolonged periods of time.
Your eyes aren’t designed to stare all day at something directly in front of you. With the 20/20/20 rule, you give your eyes a much-needed break during long work days.
If you look at the screen for 20 minutes, you must look at something at least 20 feet away from you for 20 seconds. The longer you look away from your screen, though, the better!
It may sound counterintuitive, but less light in your room is actually better for your eyes when you’re working on a computer. Offices shouldn’t be too bright, so when possible, close your curtains and reduce your use of fluorescent lighting.
Use an anti-glare matte screen where possible (rather than glass-covered LCDs). If you’re a glasses wearer, make sure your lenses have an anti-reflective coating.
Most people don’t have to use CRT screens any more. Those are the old computer screens with low refresh rates that created a noticeable flicker that made your eyes feel uncomfortable.
Today, screens typically offer refresh rates of 75Hz or more. The higher the better. Furthermore, screens with higher resolutions appear more lifelike. When you can’t see the pixels, your eyes don’t work as hard to make sense of the images in front of you.
Blue light has a short wave-length and is known for causing damage to the eye. Reduce blue light by using specialist glasses or reduce the color temperature of your screen. It’s ideal for long-term use.
Just like computers, mobile phone screens can present an opportunity for eye strain. The fact we use our phones in place of pen and paper for virtually everything we do, means it’s something we should talk about. How do phones affect your eyes?
However, we often use our phones differently from our computers. With computer usage, we may spend several hours looking at the screen. We use smartphones for shorter periods of time throughout the day, but can total hours of usage by the end of the day.
Although this is less stressful for the eyes, if you’re straining when you look at your cellphone screen, it can mean you are placing stress on your eyes resulting in mobile phone eye strain. This can negatively affect your eye health over the long term.
It’s easy to forget that your screen can be customized, because it looks fine straight out of the box! Everyone’s eyes are different, however, and all smartphones allow you to change contrast, brightness, and text settings.
You should be able to see everything on your phone screen from between 16 and 18 inches away. Don’t hold your phone too close, but if you find yourself bringing the phone closer, consider zooming in on your screen instead.
Modern Android and Apple smartphones offer night mode features that make it easy to automatically reduce strain on your eyes at night.Turn the feature on, and your phone will automatically adjust screen settings depending on the time of day.
Smartphone screens are glossy, but matte screen protectors give you that old-screen LCD finish. They protect your screen and they reduce glare from ambient lights or sunshine. They’re inexpensive, too!
For all types of eyestrain, be it caused by computers or mobile devices, artificial tears can be an effective tool in keeping the eyes comfortably lubricated. There are many types of lubricating eye drops on the market — both with and without preservatives — that can be purchased over the counter. You may need to try several before you find the one you like best.
Adjusting the brightness on your phone is important, your phone may even do it automatically. The ambient light sensor on your device will allow the light to shift depending on how much light is already available. As mentioned earlier, the night mode feature reduces the impact blue light has on your eyes.
Most people know the sun can hurt our eyes but are less clear on whether to worry about other bright lights, like computer screens. In short, these screens are far less damaging than the sun.
This is because screens aren’t as bright as the sun, and newer screens don’t generally produce UV rays, the most damaging kind of light the sun produces. Instead, the most important light to consider that screens produce is short wavelength, high-energy blue light.
In the short term, blue light is mostly associated with potentially causing eye strain. Per the American Optometric Association, this usually isn’t serious and can mostly be solved by habitually looking away from your screen on occasion and practicing some basic techniques to reduce the strain.
In the long term, some studies have suggested the blue light from screens can damage retinal cells, leading to problems like age-related macular degeneration. The extent of this issue is not fully understood, but it is notably not serious enough to suddenly avoid all use of screens.
Vision experts generally don’t consider screens as a source of permanent vision damage, even if extended use can cause eye irritation. If you only look at screens for a few hours a day and don’t experience any vision issues, you probably do not need to worry.
The biggest thing to consider when it comes to screens is if and how much they may damage our eyes in the long term. There is not yet a fully clear answer, so more research needs to be done. The accepted view is that the blue light from screens is not a major cause of long-term vision issues, though excessive use should be avoided.
Many people are understandably under the impression that any bright light aimed at our eyes can cause permanent damage. After all, the sun is one of the brightest things we encounter on a regular basis, and it is well understood that it can damage our eyes.
In some respects, it makes sense to think that even light sources that are not as bright, such as computers and smartphone screens, might damage our eyes too, given enough time. This is somewhat true, although not to the degree many assume.
The sun produces a wide spectrum of light rays. Its white color comes from the fact that it is producing red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, and violet light all at once. Importantly, it also produces ultraviolet (UV) rays, which are invisible but can readily cause permanent damage if you’re exposed to them for lengthy periods of time. While skin damage from UV light is often discussed, the sun’s rays can also damage the eyes.
Old cathode ray screens (now almost completely obsolete and no longer used by the bulk of people) actually produced a tiny amount of UV rays when in use, but newer screens do not. The most troublesome light our modern devices (ranging from light bulbs to tablets) tend to produce is blue light.
This type of light has short wavelengths and relatively high amounts of energy. While blue light is not extremely dangerous and comes in far higher quantities from the sun, there is at least one study suggesting that long-term exposure to blue light through our devices may cause at least some eye harm.
In the short term, staring at screens for a long time is known to sometimes cause computer vision syndrome, or digital eye strain. While not serious, this condition can still be irritating and even detrimental to one’s work. It can potentially cause:
The first factor is simply the length of exposure. The average American worker spends at least seven hours in front of a screen, and some people spend significantly more time than that staring at screens. Compounding the issue is the fact that many people are unfortunately in the habit of maintaining bad posture while staring at screens.
Try to light your workspace (or wherever you’ll be looking at a screen) properly, so the light level in the room is roughly equal to how much light your screen will be producing. Contrasting levels of light, such as being in a dark room while looking at a bright screen, can strain the eyes faster.
Practice the 20-20-20 rule. This simple rule can help with eye strain. All you need to do is take a break every 20 minutes or so to stare at an object about 20 feet away for at least 20 seconds. This helps to give your eyes a break from focusing on a bright screen that is close to you. Make this rule a habit, and you’ll feel the difference in your eyes over time.
The effect of digital eye strain or screen time is the same whether you are using a computer, smartphone, or tablet since they all emit similar rays and have comparable effects on the eyes.
Screens may be causing a subtler and less understood long-term problem. This was brought to light in studies that suggested sustained exposure to blue light could lead to impaired retinal cells. This has been linked to problems like age-related macular degeneration (AMD), which can cause blurred vision. There is no cure for AMD, but the condition can be managed.
There are some things you can do to protect your eyes from blue light. The most obvious is to simply reduce screen time. Some evidence suggests children’s eyes absorb more blue light than adults’ eyes. Children should have less screen time than adults.
There are filters and special glasses that are designed to reduce how much blue light is hitting your eyes. Many of these filters can also help with eye strain, as they reduce how bright your screen is compared to the rest of the room. You can benefit from wearing these glasses or using the filters for at least a few hours of your time in front of a screen each day.
If you work from home, all in-person meetings are replaced with Zoom or other video meetings, which means you are staring at a screen for many more hours than you used to in an average day.
Remember to take frequent screen breaks throughout the day by looking away from your computer. Actually get up to walk around for 5 minutes or so. Your body needs the break as much as your eyes.
You may also consider muting notifications on your other devices, like your phone or tablet. This allows you to truly take breaks while you eat meals or after hours, ensuring that you aren’t chained to your screens even if you are working from home.
The COVID-19 pandemic greatly increased screen time for many kids, thanks to online school and limited in-person social interactions with friends. And screen time was already a subject of concern for many parents.
While all screen time is not bad for kids, it’s a good idea to encourage your children to avoid excessive screen time. Too much screen time has been linked to obesity, poor sleep patterns, low self-esteem, and behavioral problems.
If you don’t notice much eye strain or other issues after extended computer or smartphone use, you probably don’t have anything to worry about. Staring at a screen is certainly nothing like staring at the sun. If you only use screens for a few hours a day, it’s unlikely you’ll ever experience any screen-related vision problems.
Blue light is not the sole cause of age-related macular degeneration. It is caused by a combination of many factors. If you believe you are at risk of AMD, it can be helpful to limit your screen time.
An exact number on the amount of ideal screen time is tough to pinpoint. Most vision experts aren’t too concerned that screens cause much permanent damage (if any damage at all), but in some cases, screens can cause discomfort or potentially more serious problems.
Ultimately, it isn’t healthy to stare at a screen for hours on end. Excessive screen time brings various other concerns, other than just vision-related problems. Extended use of screens has been linked to various health issues, including obesity and insomnia.
Overall, limiting your screen time to a few hours a day and practicing the 20-20-20 rule should be enough to avoid any major vision problems related to screen time.
When deciding projector vs TV, eye health is a major consideration. Screens like TVs produce eye-damaging direct blue light. A projector’s Indirect light – even its indirect blue light – is much gentler on the eyes. Along with other safety features – which you can learn about below – projectors are the best option based strictly on eye health.
Projectors vs. TVs, which should you choose for your next home entertainment setup? There are many important factors to consider such as cost, screen size, and image quality, but those are features of the product itself. What about consideration to effects of the product on the user, in this case, you and your family, who will be spending hours enjoying TV programs, movies and streaming content on your new home entertainment system? If selecting a solution that will have the least effect on your health, especially your eyes, there are some issues you may not have considered before.
Blue light should be the first concern for people addicted to screen time. We spend hours at work, school, and home with our eyes glued to screens, and the largest screens we have are our TVs. LCD, LED, and all the other TV varieties emit blue light, which especially at night has detrimental effects on our health. With the average adult in the US watching live TV for over 4.5 hours a day according to research firm Nielsen, the amount of blue light we are receiving from our TV is pretty high.
According to www.bluelightexposed.com blue light is a cause of digital eye strain, a medical issue with serious symptoms including blurry vision, difficulty focusing, dry and irritated eyes, headaches, and neck and back pain. Additionally, long-term effects show that high levels of long-term blue light exposure may cause permanent eye damage and contribute to the destruction of the retina and macular degeneration.
Blue light is a wavelength of light found in natural sunlight and artificially from things that emit light such as lightbulbs, computer screens, and TVs. Although most of the wavelengths in blue light are safe for your eyes, high-energy blue-violet light in the 415-455nm band is more damaging to the eyes, especially the lens and retina. This range of blue light falls under UV intensity, which is widely known to be harmful to the human body if overexposed (one of the reasons we get sunburns). Sadly, wearing UV blocking sunglasses would not be ideal when trying to watch your favorite movie or show.
One way to cut back on blue light exposure is to cut back on your screen addiction. The likelihood of this happening is slim. The same Nielsen report indicated that the average American adult spends more than 10 hours a day consuming media on the screen. Cutting back is very unlikely or impossible for most people, especially if people have to work with a computer then spend the rest of the day checking their smartphones and watching a favorite TV show when they get home.
An alternative to blue light-emitting TVs is projectors. Projectors do produce blue light but since you will not be staring straight at the light source while viewing this light does not hit your eye directly. The light bounces off another surface (a projector screen or wall) before hitting your eyes; this surface absorbs some of those damaging wavelengths, reducing the amount of blue light that actually reaches your eyes.
Light sources can be divided into two kinds based on the path taken to your eyes: direct and indirect light. Most of the light sources we encounter daily from the fluorescent lamps above your heads to the TV screens in your living rooms are direct light emitters. This means these items produce light and it is traveling directly to your eyes. Direct light sources are harsher on your eyes in comparison to indirect light. To illustrate, staring at a flashlight beam directly is a lot more uncomfortable than staring at that light bouncing off a wall. Projectors utilize reflected light, which is less invasive to your sight and reduces eyestrain and other negative effects of prolonged viewing.
Projectors screen size can readily create images larger than what is possible for TVs; a screen of over 100 inches or even 200 inches can be produced easily. For those looking for eye comfort, projectors’ large screens are even better. Larger screens create images that are bigger and more comfortable for the eyes to view. Cutting down the need to strain your eyes to see details. For text, like subtitles, it is even more beneficial. Larger letters make things a lot easier to read. Altogether, projectors offer larger screens, reduce blue light, bypass direct light, and utilize reflective light, which equals a much more comfortable viewing experience compared to TVs.
To summarize, in the comparison of TVs vs. projectors, the projector offers much more flexibility while being much safer for viewers’ eye health. Projectors reduce the effects of blue light and direct light while also offering adjustable screen projection size, and newer projectors have smart safety features to avoid accidental eye injury.
If you are considering a new TV or projector, consider the effects they have on your eyes. Take a break from the many screens in your life and try a projector. Learn more about ViewSonic projectors here.
According to recent studies, as many as 90% of people who spend extended time in front of digital screens experience some sort of eye strain or related eye issues. While giving up computers all together may not be an option, you can take steps to keep your eyes safe while on the job and at home. Our experts at McDonald Eye Care Associates discuss practical tips to protect your eyes from eye strain.
Scheduling a comprehensive eye exam is one of the key steps in preventing eye strain related to computer screens. Our team at McDonald Eye Associates offers comprehensive eye exams to detect any visual issues and can explain how to keep your eyes safe from eye strain while at work.
People have a habit of sitting close to their computer screen, but sitting too close to your screen contributes to eye strain. Adjusting your screen position is a simple and easy step you can take to protect your eyes. You should sit at least 20-30 inches away from your screen and position the top of your screen at eye level. This not only reduces the chances of eye strain; it prevents neck strain.
When it comes to screen time in the workplace, lighting is everything. Offices that have too much natural or artificial light increase glare on your screen, which spells trouble for your eyes. Try tackling the glare in your office to ease the strain on your eyes.
Depending on your office setup, you may need to partially close blinds or draw shades halfway closed. You may also need to turn off any harsh lights or position your screen to prevent direct sunlight from causing glare.
Anti-glare screen filters are a simple way to cut down on the amount of light that reflects off of your computer screen while you work. The result is a more pleasant viewing experience that won’t result in eye fatigue and strain.
Anti-glare glasses have a coating that reduces glare and reflections to protect your eyes. This is an excellent option if you use laptops, cell phones, and other devices along with standard desktop computers.
Rest breaks for your eyes are something your grandparents didn’t have to plan into their day. But today we spend more and more time at our computer screens and need to consider giving our eyes a rest throughout the day. It’s best to give your eyes a short break after every two hours of continuous screen time. This could mean taking a five-minute walk to the watercooler during your workday.
Electronic manufacturers are pushing the boundaries with vivid screens that display colors and images that appear vibrant and bright. While this may look stunning, your eyes weren’t meant to look at bright, vivid screens for hours at a time. Going into your computer’s settings and turning down the brightness and backlight can go a long way in preventing eye strain.
If you use a traditional desktop, consider upgrading your monitor. LCD monitors are more gentle on your eyes than older technologies. A high-resolution LCD monitor is able to display crisp, sharp images without problems with flicker, so your eyes are in less jeopardy when working at the computer.
Did you know that when you stare at a screen for long periods of time it causes you to blink less often? When you blink less, your eyes can become dry and irritated, increasing the risk of eye problems. When at the computer, make it a point to blink normally and fully. If you find that your eyes feel dry, use artificial years to keep them moist.
If you use the computer frequently and for extended periods then you have likely considered how that is affecting your eyes. If that is the case then you are probably already wondering about the best monitor for eye strain, but if not then I have some information for you!
I"ve been using the computer for about 10 hours a day, almost every day (though maybe a LITTLE less on weekends), for the past 8 years for both work, gaming, and Netflix. During the COVID pandemic of 2020 I found myself on the computer even more... closer to 14 hours a day and noticed how tired my eyes would feel and how my brain would just be SO tired after work.
The VX2457-MHD from ViewSonic is a 24-inch eye care monitor with eye protection as a main priority during development. It natively supports a 1920 x 1080 resolution with a 16:9 aspect ratio. It is a flat LCD monitor with a panel type of TN.
This monitor does have flicker-free technology implemented as well as reduced blue light emission which should protect your eyes from damage and fatigue very well.
When choosing the best monitor for eye strain you must think of that as your primary concern and view the specifications of each potential monitor through that lens. Having in mind that some technologies are better for your eyes than others, check out our best LED monitors review. They come in various sizes. Even some touch screen PC monitorshave features to protect your eyes. For some of the easiest ones on the eyes, check out our
This monitor boasts a wide viewing angle of 178 degrees. This, at first glance, seems like a great viewing angle, and it is, but you have to take these things with a grain of salt. No matter what the advertised viewing angle is on a monitor you should know that, regarding your eyes, the closer you are to being right in front of the monitor the less strain you will have on your eyes. This also makes it a great computer monitor for those with poor eyesight or the visually impaired.
A 178-degree viewing angle essentially means that as long as you are on the screen side of the monitor you can see it without any mutilation of the picture or brightness. After using this myself I wouldn"t exactly go that far, the viewing angle probably isn"t 178 degrees, but it is extremely wide so I am confident in saying that the PB278Q is a good choice for reducing strain on your eyes.
While this monitor isn’t perfect, it is certainly a very strong pick for the best monitor for eyes. It provides a large variety of features that should help to protect your eyes and keep you as comfortable as possible while working with your machine. The only downsides to this monitor are the fact that it doesn’t have blue light reduction and the thicker bezel which will make it less neat and convenient to include in a multiple display setup for increased productivity and efficiency.
The VX2457-MHD from ViewSonic is a 24-inch eye care monitor with eye protection as a main priority during development. It natively supports a 1920 x 1080 resolution with a 16:9 aspect ratio. It is a flat LCD monitor with a panel type of TN. If you are shopping for a compact size monitors, we have dedicated 24 inch monitor reviews.
Much like the last entry this monitor has a 75 Hz refresh time which means, if you are gaming, you might find yourself suffering from screen tearing or visual stutters but this monitor implements FreeSync for those users that use an AMD Graphics Processing Unit (GPU) which locks your monitor’s refresh rate to the frames per second of the game you are playing. This should eliminate those problems which also removes any problem you might have with the refresh rate.
Blue light filtering and flicker-free technology are also implemented which should protect your eyes very well over extended use. The primary problems you will experience with this monitor are the narrower viewing angle and lower contrast due to it being a TN monitor.
I can say that this monitor has a narrower viewing angle which can be annoying if it is implemented in a multiple display configuration. With that in mind, it should also be noted that the bezel on this monitor is thick which doesn"t lend it well toward multiple monitor configurations anyway.
Thankfully, the monitor does come with FreeSync so a more powerful machine can have the framerate it is capable of producing limited to 60 and linked the refresh rate of your monitor. That will ensure that the visuals are smooth with no tearing or stuttering and should keep eyestrain to a minimum as long as you are using an AMD GPU.
This monitor does have flicker-free technology implemented as well as reduced blue light emission which should protect your eyes from damage and fatigue very well.
This monitor does have flicker-free technology implemented as well as reduced blue light emission which should protect your eyes from damage and fatigue very well.
It has a refresh rate of 60 Hz and a 1 millisecond response time. It comes with FreeSync compatibility as well which should keep your eyes protected during extended use.
Samsung’s proprietary Eye Saver Mode monitor settings to reduce eye strain is supported with this monitor and is supposed to reduce blue light emissions and flickering but I am unsure how effective it is. I can confirm that I have never had any eyestrain problems while using this monitor.
The 6 millisecond response time is slow and might cause issues for your eyes as they process the minor delay. Fortunately, this monitor does come with its own kind of flicker protection and blue light filter which should help to mitigate or at least counterbalance the strain you may experience from the delay.
You might have considered, “what is eye strain?” It is caused by overworking your eyes to process visual stimulus and usually results in headaches and eye fatigue.
If you are a gamer then you may want to look at response times and refresh rates more, but you should be looking at eye protection first and gaming second. If you are a working professional in graphic design or video editing you may be more concerned with contrast or image quality of the monitors which are best for video editing, or the best monitors for graphic designwe also reviewed. You should also look at things like viewing angle and what kind of eye protection software it is compatible especially even with the best curved monitor you just got which may feel strange to your eyes until you adapt..
The size of your monitor might affect how long you can use the computer without straining your eyes. An extremely large monitor will mean that you have to move your eyes more to see everything which can significantly contribute to eye fatigue over extended periods. That said, a very small monitor will have a lower screen resolution which means images displayed on it will be smaller and will require more focus and precision for your eyes to be able to see them which can also contribute to strain.
This is very much a Goldilocks situation, where you don"t want something too big or too small, but something just right. Unfortunately, this is a very subjective situation and the only way to be able to tell exactly what size is right for you is by trying many and monitor eye strain while using them. There are many factors to consider here such as the space you work in, how much room there is for different monitor sizes, how far away you sit from the screen, and the angle that you usually view it at.
Contrast, when discussing monitors, is