Technological Eye Strain
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- instrmntl
My eyes have been killing me the last month. I get minor migraine headaches almost everyday. I think a lot of it has to do with constantly scrolling. I check Instagram and Facebook on my iPad, so I'm constantly scrolling. Lately I close my eyes when doing so. Even if you look half away, your eyes try to focus on the screen. Also, I've noticed ever since Apple changed their scroll bars, its made it much harder to use the gutters to go to next page section. I adopted this habit awhile ago because scrolling hurts your eyes.
Does anyone else have this problem? I know Ceci mentioned she does as well. Any suggestions of how to curb it would be much appreciated.
- instrmntl0
Also, I'm going to stay away from my iPad for a week to see if that help. Also, I'm searching Google to see if theres a way to get back the old Apple scrollbars in my OS.
- instrmntl0
Ah, here's regarding scrollbars:
Here’s how:
* Click the Apple menu at the top-left of the screen, then select System Preferences.
* Next, select the General preferences pane; it’s the very first one, up at the top.
* Under the “Show scroll bars” heading, you’ll find three options: “Automatically based on input device,” “When scrolling,” and “Always.”
* Go ahead and select that last “Always” option. You’re done!
- d_rek0
Personally, I find the biggest factor that determines wether or not my eyes become fatigued quickly or not has to do with light sources in the immediate environment.
I always try to work with at least one ambient light source such as an overhead or floor lamp. The intensity of the backlight on many devices (especially newer apple devices) can be particularly brutal on my eyes.
I would suggest the following:
-adjust the brightness of your device to 50-60 percent. High enough to where you get enough contrast out of the screen but low enough to where you don't feel like you're staring at a flashlight.
-Have a least one other ambient light source in your workspace, preferably positioned behind your head. If it's a floor or overhead lamp, try to have your back to it so it's providing ambient light around you. If you have a window in your room try opening the blinds to let natural sunlight in. Again the idea is to position yourself with your back facing away from the major ambient lightsource - you're already staring at a device that is pumping out lumens - there's not need to stare into a second flashlight as well.
-Last but not least, simply take a break every 1/2hr to 1hr and focus your eyes on something analog. Find something printed to read, go and stare out the window at some trees. Play with a pet. You get the idea.
- d_rek0
I've personally never experienced issues with scrolling to read content.
I might guess that if it is scrolling that is causing eye strain it might be because you're trying to skim / read as the page is scrolling? Just a guess.
- drgs0
As of Sept 2012 I only use computers at work
- hahaha you say that like you're boasting. Patheticanimatedgif
- ZOOP0
- omg0
Try Claritin.
- animatedgif0
Prolly makes your screen look shitty and yellow when you run it... but trust me you wont notice it at all after a few hours.
I've ran it for weeks now and when I disable it at 2am I'm instantly blinded and shocked at how bright my screen used to be
- err0
- ZOOP0
- 23kon0
The migraines might be down to not getting enough water and being dehydrated. When I get a headache like that its often my eyes and above my eyes that ache.
- Hombre_Lobo0
I had a conversation with workmates a few months ago about this.
I was saying everything we do is scrolling, and after a while it kills my eyes. You scroll and try to keep focus of what's happening and its such an intense exercise, and you do it so much.
So for a while now I've been saying the return of PAGE DOWN is near. I'm calling it. Page down is the future.
Just move to the next chunk of information, instantly, so much easier on the eyes.
- Totally agree. This is why I made my scrollbars 100% of the time visible. Scrolling is an eye killer!instrmntl
- pango0
look away for 10 mins every hour.
- OP310
That Flux app animatedgif recommended is great. Tried it out all day today and seems to be working. Maybe its in my head, but whatever. I also have been getting headaches and such recently.
- MrT0
A few years back I had a spell of something similar, I would get a ridiculous eye-watering headache and could do nothing but go for a walk or hide somewhere dark. I put it down to too much screen time. After doctors and a specialist turns out they were cluster headaches.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clu…Cleared up on their own but it was a horrible business, I hope this isn't what you're suffering. You have my sympathy.
- fourth0
turn down the brightness on your monitors! My macbook never goes above 75% brightness. At night I have it as low as 30-40%. I don't understand people who can use their monitors at 100% brightness– not to mention all the colors are washed out.