My eyes STING!

**andrewanimation** · #1 9th Nov 2007, 01:57 PM

Hello,

My eyes sting from what I'm supposing is monitor use. If you're also a computer superuser who's dealt with this problem and found any wisdom as to the cure, please share. I've tried everything I've heard of. I'm a novelist, and working on the computer for at least several hours a day is absolutely necessary for me to get any progress done in an efficient enough way. I take 5-minute shut-eye breaks every hour, without fail, but still I get days like today where my eyes sting from pain. I've seen my eye doctor and done everything else I've heard of, done a lot of research on the subject, but just can't shake the pain. It's so horrible and frequent that it's dangerously endangering my occupation! I need to get rid of the pain.

Additionally, if anyone knows of an LCD monitor or brand that's known to be really soft on the eyes, please suggest it to me, unless mine should pretty much be fine already. I currently use a 24" Acer AL2423W LCD.

Thank you
Soreyes

**alex** · #2 9th Nov 2007, 02:09 PM

Hi Andrew, I don't profess to be an expert on the subject but there are a few things you could check:

1) is the centre of the screen at eye level?

2) Are you sat at least 2ft away?

3) Have you played with the brightness and contrast settings to alleviate the issue?

4) Have you had an eye test to see if you require glasses?

5) Have you tried taking a day off from the pc to give you eyes time to relax?

6) Is the monitor refresh set at 60hz?

7) Is the resolution set at 1920x1200?

8) If typing in word etc have you tried enlarging the document to, say, 150% so you get a larger rendition.

9) Enlarged the fonts to make for easier reading?

**andrewanimation** · #3 9th Nov 2007, 02:16 PM

1) yes the center of the screen is at least at eye level if not lower, and i heard lower is better, because it's easier on the eyes to look down instead of up

2) yes, i'm 27" away. a bit more than arm's length

3) yes, the brightness is very low and contrast is default

4) yes, i tested my eyes very recently with my eye doctor. i've always used glasses, and he assured me these are the best ones for me for the computer screen specifically

5) i can take a full day away from any PC use, but i wonder how long that kind of relaxation would keep the pain at bay. i could try it. i would hope it gets me more than just a couple of days, though, as i don't think i could afford to work just 1-2 days, then get a vacation day, then just 1-2 days, etc.

6) yes, the monitor refresh rate is set at 60hz. it can't go any different, as that's the only available setting

7) yes, 19200x1200 is the resolution

8) yes, i have the words very big in word. size 20 font, 85% zoom. just the way i've always done it. but 20 font is huge, so even with the 85% zoom, it's plenty big

9) yes, i've installed ClearType, and all my fonts are enlarged, from detailed Display settings to my word documents themselves

thank you

**alex** · #4 9th Nov 2007, 02:34 PM

Well, I'm stuck. Anyone else?

From my experience (I too sit in front of 24" screens for hours on end) "stinging" is caused either by too much brightness (do you leave the room lights on to balance out?) or an incorrect refresh rate not native to the monitor.

As you've quoted both are these are ok then I don't have any further advice for you I'm afraid.

As to monitor's being easy on the eyes. I don't think manufacturers take that into account much, they're all going after faster grey-grey times and higher brightness and contrast settings. If you said "truest image reproduction" then I'd say Samsung. Surely a truer image of whatever you're displaying on your monitor, and providing your contrast and brightness is set to a level that suits personnally, makes it easier for your viewing.

**andrewanimation** · #5 9th Nov 2007, 02:39 PM

yes, anyone else, please:(

here's how my room looks like with the lighting:

standing lights, with the light source at about 6 feet high on each of them.

i'm only looking to sell my LCD and buy a new one only if it's extremely recommended for me, otherwise i'll stick with mine, if my LCD isn't to blame

thanks

**alex** · #6 9th Nov 2007, 02:47 PM

Yeah, anyone else? (sorry I couldn't have been of more help Andrew).

Got to ask though, has this problem only existed since purchasing the Acer? If so, therein lies your problem. Also, are you getting enough sleep? Eyes can sting, regardless of what activity's you're doing, if you aren't.

Anyway, I'll pass this over. Hope you get it sorted.

**andrewanimation** · #7 9th Nov 2007, 02:53 PM

thanks alex:)

no, the problem happened with my old CRT, which is why i bought the LCD. it looks a whole lot nicer and bigger, so it was worth it, but the pain remained. yes, i'm getting enough sleep. i don't even use the alarm clock, as interrupting my sleep can make my day almost useless. i sleep about 8-10 hours a night, depending on whatever factors i don't know about

**Insomnia** · #8 10th Nov 2007, 03:05 PM

I think its just because your monitor is so big. I had a short go on my brother's 24" (1900"1200) iMac and I was almost crying after 5 minutes...

**cheesepuff** · #9 10th Nov 2007, 10:05 PM

are you tiered? if you body is not fully away and such your body will strain to stay awake and thus the eyes will not work at its best as it is a sign to get good sleep. try to get a good sleep so that your body is energized enough to read. it is often overlooked that the body could not be working right, instead of the hardware. that's all i can think of.

**alex** · #10 10th Nov 2007, 10:59 PM

Originally Posted by Insomnia

I think its just because your monitor is so big. I had a short go on my brother's 24" (1900"1200) iMac and I was almost crying after 5 minutes...

It happened with his old CRT as well though.

**alex** · #11 10th Nov 2007, 11:00 PM

Originally Posted by cheesepuff

are you tiered? if you body is not fully away and such your body will strain to stay awake and thus the eyes will not work at its best as it is a sign to get good sleep. try to get a good sleep so that your body is energized enough to read. it is often overlooked that the body could not be working right, instead of the hardware. that's all i can think of.

Yeah, I tried that one as well CP, he says it isn't that.

**Insomnia** · #12 10th Nov 2007, 11:06 PM

Well, I'm completely out of ideas. Maybe it's just something that you'll have to ease into...

**cheesepuff** · #13 10th Nov 2007, 11:14 PM

hay, hold down Ctrl and + at the same time! its fun and can help!

**andrewanimation** · #14 16th Nov 2007, 05:43 PM

i doubt it's because my monitor is too big, because i was using a much smaller one before i switched to this one for the sake of my eyes (though it didn't help)

no, im not tired, i get all the sleep i need (but not too much) every night

i wish it were something i could ease into, but my eyes have been like this for months now. yes i know about ctrl and +, i have my firefox set to huge fonts by default=)

i've seen two different ophthalmologists for this, the last visit being yesterday, and still i always end up with nothing conclusive about what's causing the pain nor especially what to do about it. i'm as detailed as possible in my explanations of everything, but it's like even the eye doctors don't know what the heck i'm supposed to do

**cheesepuff** · #15 16th Nov 2007, 06:47 PM

im stumped.