Screens at work

BoonMonkey · 22 Apr 2013 at 12:32

Hi guys,

So my monitors at work seem to be making my eyes play up. So much so that I went for my first eye test ever last Thursday. Expecting that I'd need glasses I was amazed when they told me I have perfect vision in both eyes.

The thing is though, while looking at the screen at work I get headaches very easily and my eyes start to feel blurry and I can't focus on anything. Is this someone anyone else has experienced at all and will it be potentially solved if I were to change monitors? I've tried changing down the brightness and upping the contrast as suggested by the optician but that hasn't helped in the slightest.

(Not a health thread!

)

uv · 22 Apr 2013 at 12:39

I had this same issue in my last job. I had to take breaks, and focus on things far away for a few minutes.

At my current job, I don't have this issue, even though I spend the same amount of time in front of a monitor.

Can't go wrong with trying a different monitor if one's available

danza · 22 Apr 2013 at 12:41

Take a break from the screen every hour if you aren't already doing so.

Tomsk · 22 Apr 2013 at 12:41

Could it be a combination of the screens and office lighting?

neil_g · 22 Apr 2013 at 12:42

speak to your H&S person for a workstation assessment.

Imy · 22 Apr 2013 at 12:44

Low refresh rates are known to cause headaches. Some people can even see the flickering.

Ensure the refresh rate is set to 75 hertz or above.

McB · 22 Apr 2013 at 12:45

I have had similar issues, doesn't help some of the old bats in our office like the lights all switched off so its like Mordor in their corner. I found having two monitors helped at differing angles so at least your eyes are shifting focus between the two as you work between them, if that's an option of course but you can always swing the 'makes me more productive' card.

Freakbro · 22 Apr 2013 at 12:49

Imy said:
Low refresh rates are known to cause headaches. Some people can even see the flickering.

Ensure the refresh rate is set to 75 hertz or above.

This, on the old CRT's I can tell if they are set to default of 60hz, it makes me feel sick, and I can perceive the slight flicker.

BoonMonkey · 22 Apr 2013 at 12:53

The monitors refresh rate is currently set to 60hz, however if I set it to 75hz the text genuinely does go blurry on the screen, so much so that I can notice it at least.

The lighting in the office isn't so bad. (Hopefully the picture isn't stupidly huge)

(I had a wobbly hand so the panoramic view didnt work too well

)

ci_newman · 22 Apr 2013 at 12:56

You need a new monitor that supports 75Hz properly

Oh, and square screens are sooooo 2001

Widescreen is where it is at today!

BoonMonkey · 22 Apr 2013 at 12:58

ci_newman said:
You need a new monitor that supports 75Hz properly

Oh, and square screens are sooooo 2001 Widescreen is where it is at today!

Literally just requested new ones! Getting some off of a person who is leaving at the end of the week!

Bobcat · 22 Apr 2013 at 13:01

I think your company need to invest in some new monitors which are wide-screen (16.9) as apposed to the old (ancient) 4.3 models, you will find a massive difference working on the new models for 7+ hrs a day.

Puzzled · 22 Apr 2013 at 13:49

Try playing with the brightness settings as well.

I find on my samsung that all the default profiles are painful to use and have to turn down the brightness to under 50%

mrk · 22 Apr 2013 at 14:35

Bobcat said:
I think your company need to invest in some new monitors which are wide-screen (16.9) as apposed to the old (ancient) 4.3 models, you will find a massive difference working on the new models for 7+ hrs a day.

16:9? No. That's an aspect ratio ideal for watching TV and movies on, not doing office work on. At the least a 16:10 screen is needed and not a cheap TN panel one either which a lot of IT departments will buy because they're cheap.

Doesn't have to be 75Hz either, 60Hz is just fine but screens should be properly configured with optimal brightness and colour settings in relation to the office lighting they're used in to avoid fatigue or worse.

BoonMonkey · 22 Apr 2013 at 15:21

I had played around with the brightness and contrast quite a lot to no avail. Just couldn't seem to get anything that doesn't hurt my eyes. Hopefully once I get the other monitors they should give me some improvement!

cu3ed · 22 Apr 2013 at 15:24

Perhaps getting eye strain from something else..you stare at a screen at home or anything?
Perhaps your just becoming a knackered old goat and need glasses anyways? lol

cHk4 · 22 Apr 2013 at 15:24

My long range sight is shot to **** from sitting in front of a PC all day, but close range it's perfect.

BoonMonkey · 22 Apr 2013 at 15:27

cu3ed said:
Perhaps getting eye strain from something else..you stare at a screen at home or anything?
Perhaps your just becoming a knackered old goat and need glasses anyways? lol

I'm 19, I best not be a knackered old goat!

Yeah, staring at a screen for 8 hours a day at work and then up to another 7 when I get home. However when I'm at home my eyes don't hurt in the slightest.

Optician said my eyes are perfect, both vision wise and health wise. Nothing to worry about at all.

Firestar_3x · 22 Apr 2013 at 15:29

If you've got fluorescent tubes at work that's probably part of the problem.

krooton · 22 Apr 2013 at 15:30

ci_newman said:
You need a new monitor that supports 75Hz properly

Oh, and square screens are sooooo 2001 Widescreen is where it is at today!

Rather 2x 4:3 screens than one 16:9 thanks