Headache

Finny76

Finny76

[H]ard|Gawd
Joined
Aug 31, 2002
Messages
1,236
I get headaches when i constantly sit in front of the computer for long periods of time.

What is the best monitor/graphics card that will give less strain to my eyes?

I mainly use use word applications/emails and browse.

(Leave alone the brightness/contrast troubleshooting)
 
Get a CRT Dell Trinitron P991 is a good bet or any Trinitron tube
I had no problems with BFG 5200-5500 series and PNY 6600 but both were AGP
Had major problems with anything greater then that but haven't tried out a PCI express card since I can't use LCDs anyway.

I even get eye strain from certin motherboard and processor combinations
 
Do you use your computer in a dark environment? If so, some bias lighting may help.
 
Well when i switch on the lights it does help, so i never use my computer in the dark!

I heard that a Higher Refresh rate reduces the Flickering, which causes headaches?
 
No, higher refresh rate is more convenient and reduce the chance of getting headache but I suppose that only counts for CRTs but some LCDs especially TN panels may also "flicker" but that's not due to refresh rate but back lights.

I use 1280x960 @ 100Hz on my 19" trinitron CRT and haven't gotten headache that I know was due to my monitor for as long as I can remember (prolly at least 10 years), despite I sit for hrs and hrs a day in front of my comp. 100Hz or greater on a CRT shouldn't produce headache, when I switch to 85Hz now I notice some slight flickering tho (I didn't use to notice that when I used 85Hz on an older CRT but now I do being used to 100Hz). On the other hand I'm quite sensitive to sunlight, if I don't wear a cap during a bright and warm summerday during work or something I easily get headache.
 
RPGWiZaRD said:
No, higher refresh rate is more convenient and reduce the chance of getting headache but I suppose that only counts for CRTs but some LCDs especially TN panels may also "flicker" but that's not due to refresh rate but back lights.
Click to expand...

Actually CCFL (compact cold florescent lamps) are used in all monitors regardless of the panel tech. Therefore, all LCD monitor "flicker" with the exception of LCD monitors with LED backlighting.

You are referring to temporal dithering where it is necessary for a TN panel monitor to quickly flash between two different colors to create a 3rd color which it cannot produce discreetly. By design TN panel monitors can only create 256K colors. Thru the use dithering they can "blend up" to 16.2m - 16.7m colors.
 
What sort of monitor are you using now, how big is it, how far away do you sit from it? Those are all important questions.

I personally get less headaches using an LCD monitor compared to a CRT. I also get more headaches if I sit too close to a monitor, as such I sit as far back as I can and still comfortably read text. Make sure you work in a well lit room, working in the dark can give eye strain due to the sharp difference between the dark room and the bright screen, if you work in the dark you can use bias lighting to reduce eye strain, alternatively just work in a well lit room ;)

If you have to work on a computer for a long period of time, take frequent breaks to give your eyes and brain something other than a monitor to look at, also its good for the body to move around a bit instead of sitting in one place for several hours.

I find it useful to reduce the gamma and brightness a bit more than "recommended". You know those pictures you use for calibrating a monitor, where you should be able to see the difference in dark greys and also light greys? Personally I have my monitor set such that all the dark greys just get pushed into 1 dark black. Its not as nice for looking at pictures and movies, but its far easier on my eyes when it comes to just looking at text, the white background of most text is very harsh otherwise.
 
Yep. Same here. I had more issues with some LCDs than I ever had with CRT. CRT if you get the refresh to 85Hz almost everyone is fine.

To the OP: Why leave alone contrast/brightness. This is the most likely issue if you use LCD.

I use my current LCD at ZERO brighness and have no issues in a lit room, but it is still too strong in the dark. Previous LCD monitors I tried were too bright even at ZERO in a lit room.
 
I turn my monitor brightness down to 0, and set the contrast to 15. When it's dark, it feels just like reading a book.

Sounds to me like you've got your contrast set too high.
 
Eye doctors will tell you to look away from the screen every few minutes and focus on something further away. If you are over 50 years of age than have your eyes checked for Catoracts (sp?).

What Snowdog said is right; turn your brightness down as low as you can and then tweak the contrast.

Good luck; I know what a pain this can be.

Dave
 
OP, You sure the headaches aren't being caused by any environmental factors? Some of my migraines are the result of sudden changes in humidity.
 
Truth be told, humidity, pressure, and other weather pattern changes can cause headaches. The causes of most headaches are largely not understood.

However, backlight flicker (and low refresh rates on CRTs), too high of brightness, or high pitched sounds. Sometimes the sounds are barely audible. I've had bad capacitors and heatsinks give me headaches before. Some light sources can also emit high-pitched noises.

It could also simply be bloodflow from the sedentary life of computer work. you could try getting up about once and hours and walked or stretching for 5 minutes. I often just go to the restroom at work so I can get moving every now and then. Poor posture can also cause tension headaches.
 
While it is likely that computer screen may be the culprit. It is possible that headaches can come from a variety of things like diet, exercise (or lack there of), sleeping habits, or other conditions. Try moving away from the computer from time to time. If the problem persist, try moving into a dark room. If the problem continues to persist, it might be a good idea to see an optometrist or your general practitioner to decide a course of action.
 
i get the same. i work infront of a 24" /19" laptop lcd thats 1920x1200 all day then come home to 2560x1600

i find decent light helps and increasing font sizes helps a ton, i have better than 20/20 vision but hours of small text will make anyone get a headache, and as mentioned get up and go look out a windows and focus on stuff in the distance and different distances, give your eyes a workout
 
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