Reducing eye strain and other...

[woodchuck]

The screen for this setup is a flat, LCD?, Dell unit, about one year old.

The problems that seem to crop up are eye strain, nausea, delayed headache once in a while. What could I do to eliminate some of this?

My time on the computer is from 10 min to about an hour per session, didn't think that was enough to feel this bad.

[TwistedLefty]

several different things could be causing this.
you may need glasses or the resolution might need to be changed to cause less strain. also glare can quickly cause fatique.
i would get my eyes checked out asap if i were you.

[sao95]

try uping the hertz on your screen refresh rate, for win xp go to start>control panel> display> settings> advanced> monitor. 85 or so is a good place to have it, anything lower can cause headaches and what not...
75 actually works for me ;) play with it and see what setting works best...

[woodchuck]

My glasses are not in the best condition, but still up to par regarding prescription strength.

The monitor was at 65Hz, changed it to 85, it goes up to 200+, the number of options were amazing. Hope this does the trick.

[sao95]

65 used to give me headaches as well, I think it'll do the trick, just play with t abit...

[woodchuck]

Trying to do any research has really been a PIA, I'll always prefer printed matter over screen reading, but this is more convenient. Although I should be grateful just to have internet anyway.

[Bollux]

also go to your local drug store they make eye drops like visine for computer strain.

[Jackson's Dad]

My glasses are not in the best condition, but still up to par regarding prescription strength

But they may not be up to par for reading from a computer screen. See your eye doctor, and explain the situation. My eye doc said that if I experienced eye strain, he'd prescribe a set of glasses just for reading off the computer.

[woodchuck]

But they may not be up to par for reading from a computer screen. See your eye doctor, and explain the situation. My eye doc said that if I experienced eye strain, he'd prescribe a set of glasses just for reading off the computer.

Was unaware of such technology, I'll be sure to inquire, thanks for the tip.

[jeffus]

Try this if you have Windows XP - makes a big difference!


To use ClearType for screen fonts

Open http://dadstayshome.com/dads/ms-its:c:\windows\help\ntshared.chm::/shortcutCold.gifDisplay (http://dadstayshome.com/dads/ms-its:C:\WINDOWS\Help\display.chm::/EXEC=,desk.cpl,,2 CHM=ntshared.chm FILE=alt_url_windows_component.htm) in Control Panel.
On the Appearance tab, click Effects.
In the Effects dialog box, select the Use the following method to smooth edges of screen fonts check box.
Click ClearType in the list.http://dadstayshome.com/dads/ms-its:c:\windows\help\ntshared.chm::/note.gif Notes

To open Display, click Start, click Control Panel, and then double-click Display.
ClearType is ideal for portable computer and other flat screen monitors. ClearType may appear slightly blurry on desktop computer monitors.
Whether you select Standard or ClearType from the list, you must have a video card and monitor that support a color setting of at least 256 colors. Best results are achieved with High color (24-bit) or Highest color (32-bit) support. Click the Settings tab to set Color quality.

[woodchuck]

Jeffus, what the hell, you messin with me or what?, It'd help if I could SEE all the text.

[jeffus]

The word "ClearType" came thru as invisible....I pasted it from my own helpscreen......Sorry!

I fixed it!:D

[woodchuck]

So, what is this supposed to do, i'm not quite understanding.

I made the change as recommended but there is a odd coloration to the cursor as I type, kind of like a lagging aura.

[jeffus]

It's supposed to make text on the screen appear more rounded and smooth. Especially with flat panel monitors. Supposed to be easier on the eyes (I think it does help a lot).

I don't any of that 'lagging aura'.

The last paragraph says you need High Color (24 bit) or Highest color (32 bit) for 'best results'.

You could also need bifocals (I did).

[TwistedLefty]

video card makes a huge diff also, i used to be an avid online gamer and i'm no stranger to eye strain.

[woodchuck]

I had them when I was 8 years old, and was therapy-classed out of them, thank goodness. I will run it this way for a bit, see what happens.

Thanks for all the help.

[Bollux]

video card makes a huge diff also, i used to be an avid online gamer and i'm no stranger to eye strain.

spent years in the trenches there myself

[woodchuck]

I know we have a video card, but as to the quality or ability of it I could not attest.

[Jackson's Dad]

Was unaware of such technology, I'll be sure to inquire, thanks for the tip.

I think what they do it fix the prescription so that it's optimized for monitor-distance (sort of like they do with reading glasses). Then they add a tint to reduce glare.

Also, your LCD should have a control to reduce the brightness of the "backlight". Most LCDs seem to have by default this turned as bright as it can go, and turning that down may help.

[woodchuck]

I have turned down the brightness, and any other cntrols that I could figure out on this thing, as dark as possible, even have darker colors for backround, and changed the display from XP to classic so it was not so busy/fluffy looking.

If I could change the color of the websites/backround that would probably help as well, but most all are white so I'll have to work with what is available.

The wifes been on me to get new glasses(lenses) for years, the strength is fine but they are a bit beat up, have taken a stone through the window while doing sixty on two occasions, can barely see the mark. These glasses have been very good to me so far.