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jmbar2

(6,138 posts)
Sat Dec 11, 2021, 02:16 PM Dec 2021

Suggestions for reducing eye strain when on the computer?

I use my 32" Samsung TV as a computer monitor and spend a lot of time on it daytrading. However, the brightness hurts my eyes.

I bought some blue light shielding reading glasses that help somewhat, and was considering adding a blue light shield to the monitor itself.

Can anyone recommend a particular type of blue light shield or have other suggestions?

My eyes thank you in advance.

24 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Suggestions for reducing eye strain when on the computer? (Original Post) jmbar2 Dec 2021 OP
I suffer from this XanaDUer2 Dec 2021 #1
Thanks for the idea jmbar2 Dec 2021 #2
Amazon has them XanaDUer2 Dec 2021 #3
get 2 small table lamps with low wattage bulbs Tetrachloride Dec 2021 #4
Thank you so much. jmbar2 Dec 2021 #9
Or check out LED desk lights with adjustable color values csziggy Dec 2021 #17
Gonna check those out soon jmbar2 Dec 2021 #20
I really like the wireless cell phone charger part csziggy Dec 2021 #24
I got special glasses just for screen use Fiendish Thingy Dec 2021 #5
I didn't even know they had glasses like that jmbar2 Dec 2021 #10
Neither did I, until my eye doctor recommended them about 4 years ago. Good luck! Nt Fiendish Thingy Dec 2021 #14
I ordered some blue light readers today from Readers.com jmbar2 Dec 2021 #21
redshift bucolic_frolic Dec 2021 #6
This is probably above my computer skill, but will check it out. jmbar2 Dec 2021 #11
if using windows right click on screen, choose display settings, choose msongs Dec 2021 #7
Will try it jmbar2 Dec 2021 #12
Simple. In the monitor controls turn the brightness down. Adjust the blue level to taste. Bernardo de La Paz Dec 2021 #8
Thanks for these details jmbar2 Dec 2021 #13
I found those controls today and tinkered with em. jmbar2 Dec 2021 #22
Kind of you to let me know. You are very welcome. . . . nt Bernardo de La Paz Dec 2021 #23
I think many people position their monitors way too high. vanlassie Dec 2021 #15
good tip jmbar2 Dec 2021 #16
Use dark mode on your browser ItsjustMe Dec 2021 #18
Didn't even know you could do that - thanks! jmbar2 Dec 2021 #19

XanaDUer2

(14,116 posts)
1. I suffer from this
Sat Dec 11, 2021, 02:18 PM
Dec 2021

I keep those ophthalmologist wrap-around glasses on sometimes, it helps, though I've just had eye surgery

Tetrachloride

(8,460 posts)
4. get 2 small table lamps with low wattage bulbs
Sat Dec 11, 2021, 02:38 PM
Dec 2021

1 yellow (incandescent or akin)
1 white (fluorescent)

the combination will relax the eyes.

i like the light to bounce off my desk and walls

csziggy

(34,189 posts)
17. Or check out LED desk lights with adjustable color values
Sun Dec 12, 2021, 05:55 PM
Dec 2021

Most also have adjustable brightness. The one I'm currently using also has a base with wireless cell phone charging. It's the second LED desk light I've owned - not as bright as the first but bright enough for most desk work. It has five color adjustments and five brightness adjustments.

The only negative I've found is that when the power supplied by the county is variable, it changes settings at random. Last night we had an outage, then several hours of variations in power and the light was all over the place. Today it's been fine.

jmbar2

(6,138 posts)
20. Gonna check those out soon
Sun Dec 12, 2021, 07:04 PM
Dec 2021

Thanks again. I usually have soft background lighting on in the room when I'm on the computer, but I do need desk lighting as well. Need to up my game there.

Thanks!

csziggy

(34,189 posts)
24. I really like the wireless cell phone charger part
Mon Dec 13, 2021, 10:32 AM
Dec 2021

But my next desk light I'm looking for more lumens. This one only goes to 650 lumens - I think the old one that quit went to 2000. Since the brightness on each is adjustable, the highest level is not needed all the time, but sometimes I need really good light at the desk (when looking at antique photos or negatives) and this one just doesn't cut it.

Otherwise, this is a nice lamp - but just wanted to mention the one part of it I really don't like.

Fiendish Thingy

(18,607 posts)
5. I got special glasses just for screen use
Sat Dec 11, 2021, 02:39 PM
Dec 2021

My normal glasses have an upper section for distance, and a lower section for reading ;

My computer glasses have a sliver at the top for distance, and a sliver at the bottom for reading, but the main section (80%) of the Center of the lens is focused on the distance from my eyes to the monitor, which is different than the distance from my eyes to a book in my lap or a phone/tablet in my hand. When I was still working and typing lots of notes in my computer, the glasses saved me a lot of pain, both in my eyes and in my neck and back from cocking my head to read the screen with my old glasses.

jmbar2

(6,138 posts)
10. I didn't even know they had glasses like that
Sat Dec 11, 2021, 03:16 PM
Dec 2021

So far, I just use drugstore readers. That may be changing, so good to know if I end up at the eye docs. Thanks.

jmbar2

(6,138 posts)
21. I ordered some blue light readers today from Readers.com
Sun Dec 12, 2021, 07:05 PM
Dec 2021

I was using a pair from Walmart, but these look like more professional quality. Pulling out all the stops now to protect my eyes.

bucolic_frolic

(47,115 posts)
6. redshift
Sat Dec 11, 2021, 02:44 PM
Dec 2021

is an open source program i use in Linux. At dusk it tints the monitor slightly red. It's unnoticeable. But greatly helped my sleep and eye strain. I don't know if you can turn it on all the time.

http://jonls.dk/redshift/

It seems it's a command line program in Windows. There may be other programs that perform similar functions.

msongs

(70,202 posts)
7. if using windows right click on screen, choose display settings, choose
Sat Dec 11, 2021, 03:07 PM
Dec 2021

color - night light set to on. adjust night light settings using the strength slider

your monitor should have settings for brightness and contrast that you can adjust

jmbar2

(6,138 posts)
12. Will try it
Sat Dec 11, 2021, 03:18 PM
Dec 2021

BernardoLaPaz (following post) has a similar suggestions.

You guys are the best - many thanks.

Bernardo de La Paz

(50,979 posts)
8. Simple. In the monitor controls turn the brightness down. Adjust the blue level to taste.
Sat Dec 11, 2021, 03:10 PM
Dec 2021

Monitor controls, meaning physical controls on the monitor that cause pop ups on the screen.

Another thing some people swear by, when a program or app offers it, is "dark mode": lit letters on dark background like black. There is some research to say that yellow letters on black background have the greatest legibility. I don't like it and use black on white background.

Adjust the color balance rather than use blue-filtering glasses. The blue filter trains the brain and kind of deadens (inhibits to some extent) neurons that respond to blue, which affects non-glasses time for hours.

Adjusting the brightness down (and perhaps contrast up some, depends) often has the effect of making the screen slightly redder.

I turn my monitor down and then adjust the contrast and colour balance so whites look white, grays look gray, blacks look black and there is some detail in the blacks of photographs.

jmbar2

(6,138 posts)
13. Thanks for these details
Sat Dec 11, 2021, 03:20 PM
Dec 2021

I switched to dark mode about a week ago and it helps a lot on the trading platform.

I had no idea that it was within my control for the rest of my browsing. Very good suggestions. Many thanks.

jmbar2

(6,138 posts)
22. I found those controls today and tinkered with em.
Sun Dec 12, 2021, 07:07 PM
Dec 2021

Managed to turn the bright down a lot, and soften the intensity. It has made a big difference!

Would have not known to do that without your post, and others in this discussion.

Thank you so much.

vanlassie

(5,899 posts)
15. I think many people position their monitors way too high.
Sat Dec 11, 2021, 04:02 PM
Dec 2021

The monitor should be low. As low as possible. This allows your eyelids to be relaxed and your neck as well. You want to be looking just slightly downwards. This was something I learned when being “fitted” for an ergonomic work station in a state of the art call center.

jmbar2

(6,138 posts)
19. Didn't even know you could do that - thanks!
Sun Dec 12, 2021, 07:03 PM
Dec 2021

I fiddled with my TV/Monitor today and found how to turn down the brightness. It has made a big difference, thanks to all the great advice by posters here. I also ordered some high quality blue light readers to replace the wimpy ones I've been using.

I love that we have so many smart folks here on DU who are willing to share.

Thanks again!

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