im goin blind from looking at a monitor

because_I_can

over the last 6 months ive noticed my sight getting very blurry as i try to focus on far away objects. it must be from using a pc all day.
i sit about 18" away (the recommended) but something still isnt right.

what can i do?

Saruman

Do you have a flat screen? If not get one... much better
Unless of course its in work.. in which case you can compklain to your boss.. if they will not give you a flat screen (TFT not CRT) then at least get a screen guard. Also make sure your refresh rate is set to at least 75hz

Oriel

Take regular breaks, even just look away from the screen for short periods of time. This changes the muscles in the eyes and keeps them dymanic.

S.

rubadub

Probably the refresh rate, nearly all PCs I have used have turned it down by themselves for some reason. I check mine every week or so to make sure.

rightclick empty space on the desktop.
properties
settings
advanced
monitor
now set the refresh rate higher. 60hz will cause eye strain. mine goes to 85hz. if you go to high the screen will just turn black, do not worry, leave it and it will reset, then try the next highest rate until you find your max.

Sometimes lower resolutions allow higher refresh rates.

rubadub

sinecurea wrote:

Take regular breaks, even just look away from the screen for short periods of time.

Yes have an object in the foreground and background and alternate focusing on them. Gives them a good workout.

Gurgle

Saruman wrote:

Do you have a flat screen? If not get one... much better
Unless of course its in work.. in which case you can compklain to your boss.. if they will not give you a flat screen (TFT not CRT) then at least get a screen guard. Also make sure your refresh rate is set to at least 75hz

^^ What he said.

Blowfish

increase the font size/decrease the resolution, to make sure your eyes aren't straining to read stuff

Gegerty

Maybe you just need glasses. I sit about 18" away from a 17" CRT monitor. Refresh rate 75Hz, Resolution 1152X864. Have been for 4 years now, 8 hours a day. Nothing blurry about my eye sight.

mukki

if its crt check the brightness too....

make sure there is no light(s) shining on the screen (this can't be avoided on curved screens), ie no windows behind you, turn the screen or desk till your happy.

now turn the contrast up full and the brightness down fully, this will look dull but try it out

use for a minute and if its still too dark, bring it up by about 5%, repeat this until its bright enough, but if you have to go above half, you really need a new screen

hobie

Probably the refresh rate, nearly all PCs I have used have turned it down by themselves for some reason. I check mine every week or so to make sure.

Just checked my Dell LCD ..... it was set at 60 with the option to go to 75 .... have reset to the higher setting and will see how it goes .... :rolleyes:

bullhammer

wear a pair of shades ( works a treat !)

Mr. Presentable

If you mostly use it for browsing porn, that's what ruined my eyesight

pm.

nipplenuts wrote:

If you mostly use it for browsing porn, that's what ruined my eyesight

LMAO

smeggle

and don't forget to also set your contrast/brightness correctly. Just changing resolutions/refresh rate on there own is no good if the contrast/brightness are maxed out - as is the case with most monitors....

Alvis

hobie wrote:

Just checked my Dell LCD ..... it was set at 60 with the option to go to 75 .... have reset to the higher setting and will see how it goes .... :rolleyes:

I thought LCD screens don't have refresh rates. Or least I never seen them flicker like mad...

TempestSabre

See an optician. You might need glasses. Seriously.

greglo23

if your using xp try this. right-click on desktop ; properties ; appearance ; effects ; tick use the following method etc and in the second box select clear type. click apply and see the difference.

zilog_jones

Alvis wrote:

I thought LCD screens don't have refresh rates. Or least I never seen them flicker like mad...

They do, but yes they don't flicker like CRT monitors so it's not an issue - you should leave LCDs on 60Hz because that's usually what they're designed for - any motion will end up looking crappy if you change it.

If your CRT monitor is old/crappy, you may be better off with 75Hz as 85 may be too blurry. I don't know how people can put up with 60Hz for longer than about 10 minutes... O_o