I'm going blind! No...really! Need monitor viewing advice.
Hello
I'm handicapped, and use my PC 10 hours a day. I'm now getting double vision at the middle of the day. Both on and off the PC. I use a flat, 19" Trinitron @ 75HRz, Viewing at about 3 1/2' away, and eye level.
Other then taking more breaks, what eles can help?
My main question really is, does those "glare covers" help in my situation. Are there regular and really good ones? I read that some also improve the over all picture quality.
well, anyone use these? Can you share your experience with them? Thank you.
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Erm... this may sound slightly patronising, but have you had your eyes checked recently? You shouldn't really be getting double-vision from viewing a computer screen for long periods of time. It may be that the muscles in your eyes aren't pulling them properly back into focus from the 3'1/2" mark! Might be worth booking an opticians appointment. I used to get headaches all the time. Turns out it was my eyes causing the problem!
We used to use glare covers with old monitors. Now we don't bother. With the latest CRT's, emissions are fairly low and excellent contrast ratios combined with decent anti-reflective coatings mean that IMO the screens are useless.
Another thing... If your monitor supports 85Hz, then use it. It's noticeably less flickery than 75Hz. Hope this helps!
Do you have to be 3 1/2' away? It could be like MuFu said that your eyes don't like focusing 3 1/2' for extended periods of time. Try moving closer so you don't have to squint to see your screen. What resolution are you using?
Lower the resolution, bump the refresh rate, make the icons and text larger would be the only thing I think you can do. Stare at something other than the monitor every few minutes. Preferably, maybe 10-20 feet away or something.
Also make note of where your monitor is positioned in respect to windows or other bright light sources. For example, it puts great strain on your eyes if the monitor backs onto windows, some blinds, or brightly lit rooms.
Blimey, I hadn't realised it at first but 3 and a half feet is quite a distance, as DC said. Is this necessary due to your disability? If it isn't then I'd suggest you move closer. If it is, then can you explain the problem to us and we will MacGyver a solution that involves the use of only old lawnmover parts and chewing gum wrappers.
MuFu.
EDIT: Yeah Bink, that's a good point. Hadn't thought of that.
Yeah, I agree with the refresh rate. I have real problems with anything lower than 85Hz. I used to be ok at anything above 70Hz, but 75Hz used to give me eyestrain, and now I can't hack anything under 85.
What sort of video card are you using? If it's NVidia, that could explain a lot..
Alternatively, my old 15" Compaq monitor was truely shocking. It was very fuzzy, even at 800x600, and at 1024x768 it was VERY hard on the eyes.
Try borrowing a different monitor & see whether you notice any difference at all.
I've only got something small to add as what you guys have said already is great advice, I too cannot recommend 85Hz enough. Lowering the resolution to get a higher refresh rate might help simply by picture larger as well, in case squinting from your distant position is causing eye-strain.
The only other thing that is recommended for comfortable monitor viewing is to arrange your seating so you look down on it at about 15 degrees. This may be hard given that your seat is most likely fixed height. Maybe some extra cushions, a dedicated platform, or just a lower desk could help lower it from the level position you say it's at currently.
The theory behind looking down at the screen apparently goes back to caveman times. Our eyes have developed to be able to focus more clearly on distant objects when we are looking up, as though scanning the far horizon for danger or food. When looking at close objects in our hands or on the ground we tend to be looking down. Consequently trying to focus on near objects while looking up or out puts a slight strain on the eyes. That's the theory anyway, I certainly find it more natural to look down on my screen.
This is way down the list though, take MuFu's advice first: seek a doctor or ophthalmologist. Good luck,
Bennyboy.
If you've got your money for nothing, who cares if the chicks are free!
you might wanna try going to the Display Properties/Settings/Advanced, and under the General tab you can make all the fonts bigger if you need to. If you select "Other" you can make your own font size.
Pack'nHeat: Try holding down the Ctrl button(lower left key in bottom row on keyboard) and use your scroll wheel on your mouse to make the print larger or smaller.
It sounds more like your eye muscles are not getting enough exercise, you are staring at the screen all the time at a fixed focal point.
Try to roll your eyes (without moving your head move your eyes around the edge of the monitor) every five min or so.
Had/have the same problem only age induced
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