Windows 7 + Me = Severe Eye Strain

[LaserBanana]

I've been experiencing severe eye strain ever since I installed Windows 7. (I had to pay a visit to my Optometrist) I'm running a dual boot system with XP, which has been my primary OS for the past 7 years. My LCD monitors brightness/ contrast are at around 30%, and the RGB at around 50%. (These settings are constant.) For general computer use such as web browsing and word processing, I've always been in the habit of further turning down the system brightness through the Nvidia control panel. When I play games I put everything back to default in the Nvidia control panel. This setup has worked well for me until I installed and started using Windows 7. Even with very low settings in the Nvidia control panel I can feel a very feint sting of pain beginning to build in my eyes.

I've tried different graphics drivers and another LCD monitor with the same result. I do have a feeling that the problem is my cheap LCD monitor, but I just don't know. I'm not too familiar with the inner workings of Windows 7 yet, so maybe there's something I'm missing. I appreciate any help you have to offer. Here are my specs:

Asus P5Q Pro Mobo
C2Q 9550 @ 3.4Ghz
4GB G.Skill DDR2 1066
EVGA GTX260 Core 216 Stock (266.58 Forceware)
Asus VH242H LCD Monitor

 

[AnonymouseUser]

Not sure if this would help, but it's worth a shot: f.lux. I use it under Linux, and though I never really had headaches or eyestrain before using it, it is definitely easier on the eyes. Reading some of the comments it may not work well with 64-bit Win 7, but works with all other versions of Windows.

 

[JackMDS]

I would visit the Opthomologist too (not Optometrist).

If there is something in your eyes/vison that it is beyond regular visual correction it is the specialty of an Ophthalmologist.

 

[imagoon]

I personally have found most of my eye strain is caused by poor room lighting. Other than the LCD being set to 200% or something silly. If you are sitting in a poorly lit room your eyes will dilate and the monitor now becomes a bright "point."

 

[Dahak]

The other thing to could be the how the settings for cleartype are set to in xp vs win 7 or if it even on in win 7 (think the default is on)

 

[Anteaus]

I've been experiencing severe eye strain ever since I installed Windows 7. (I had to pay a visit to my Optometrist) I'm running a dual boot system with XP, which has been my primary OS for the past 7 years. My LCD monitors brightness/ contrast are at around 30%, and the RGB at around 50%. (These settings are constant.) For general computer use such as web browsing and word processing, I've always been in the habit of further turning down the system brightness through the Nvidia control panel. When I play games I put everything back to default in the Nvidia control panel. This setup has worked well for me until I installed and started using Windows 7. Even with very low settings in the Nvidia control panel I can feel a very feint sting of pain beginning to build in my eyes.

I've tried different graphics drivers and another LCD monitor with the same result. I do have a feeling that the problem is my cheap LCD monitor, but I just don't know. I'm not too familiar with the inner workings of Windows 7 yet, so maybe there's something I'm missing. I appreciate any help you have to offer. Here are my specs:

Asus P5Q Pro Mobo
C2Q 9550 @ 3.4Ghz
4GB G.Skill DDR2 1066
EVGA GTX260 Core 216 Stock (266.58 Forceware)
Asus VH242H LCD Monitor

A couple things to check. Are you at your native resolution? Have you tried Aero (3d) versus non-aero?

 

[Bearach]

You could always give this application a go. Has hotkey abilities to help go up and down different levels. I tested it, and it does function in games too.

http://download.cnet.com/Desktop-Lighter/3000-2108_4-10822614.html

 

[Bearach]

Not sure if this would help, but it's worth a shot: f.lux. I use it under Linux, and though I never really had headaches or eyestrain before using it, it is definitely easier on the eyes. Reading some of the comments it may not work well with 64-bit Win 7, but works with all other versions of Windows.

Just tried that f.lux, it works really nicely in Windows 7 and is quite a good program! Thanks!

 

[Anneka]

i don't think it has to do with Win7. Or whatever it has to do with the OS i am sure is just about the refresh rate on the monitor or some wrong colors you have on your desktop

 

[kmmatney]

I have the exact same thing. Windows 7 kills my eyes. The basic problem for me is the font smoothing, which you cannot get rid of very easily. The only thing that helps me is to change to a Windows Classic theme if I have a fair amount of work to do. I still use Windows XP at work, and have font smoothing turned off, and I have no trouble at all. I get headaches with Windows 7, due to the blurry fonts.

 

[Anteaus]

Some combinations of videocards and monitors can sometimes produce a non-ideal display but more often than not its just that some people don't have the eyes for it. If you have less than perfect eyes, high resolution displays are going to draw that out. I personally can sit in front of the computer for 12 hours straight with no eye fatigue and yet I know people who can barely do 30 minutes without having to take a break.

In addition, it could be a symptom of eye problems you might not have had a few years ago when you were primarily using XP and the fact that it's happening with Windows 7 could be more of a coincidence than a cause. I'm just throwing ideas out there so please don't think I'm saying anyone has bad eyes.

 

[thescreensavers]

Not sure if this would help, but it's worth a shot: f.lux. I use it under Linux, and though I never really had headaches or eyestrain before using it, it is definitely easier on the eyes. Reading some of the comments it may not work well with 64-bit Win 7, but works with all other versions of Windows.

Seems to work fine in W7 64bit, did the test thing and it seems like it works, Thanks for the app!

 

[AnonymouseUser]

Just tried that f.lux, it works really nicely in Windows 7 and is quite a good program! Thanks!

Seems to work fine in W7 64bit, did the test thing and it seems like it works, Thanks for the app!

You're welcome!

 

[shortylickens]

Hello Newb!
Welcome.


I like to use the basic theme in Win 7 myself, but I never heard of your issues.
Will research this some more.

 

[wassja]

..

 

[hhhd1]

try this:

right click 'computer' > properties > advanced system properties > in the 'advanced' tab > performance > settings > uncheck "smooth edges of screen fonts".

 

[Shawn]

just disable cleartype

 

[wassja]

LaserBanana, try the screen with a non-native resolution or connect the LCD to the computer via analog D-sub. I have a hunch this might solve it. You could also try deinstalling the Windows 7 standard graphic card drivers and installing some really old version of them. This might help too. Please write back after you tried it.

 

[dawks]

If you're using the same hardware and the problem is exclusive to Windows 7, its very likely it could be (as previously mentioned) ClearType Font Smoothing. I remember when font smooth was brand new (back when most people were using CRT's still). Anand was posting his bar-charts from a computer using ClearType and the text basically looked fuzzy to me on my Sony Trinitron, and would be very uncomfortable to read. Took me a long time to get used to it. It could be you have font smoothing disabled on your Windows XP box (right click on Desktop, choose properties and change to 'Appearance' tab I think). Get your eyes checked for computer use, you may need a prescription for that. I support about 6-7 people who think bigger monitors = bigger font, but higher resolutions actually translate to smaller fonts. So these people are demanding 24" monitors running at 1024x768 or even 800x600.

Edit: I'd think a non-native resolution would be even worse since it basically makes the screen blurry.

 

[AnonymouseUser]

So these people are demanding 24" monitors running at 1024x768 or even 800x600.

Edit: I'd think a non-native resolution would be even worse since it basically makes the screen blurry.

I've had my father-in-law do this. I tried to set his monitor to the native resolution plus increased font size, and he still didn't like it. Had to set it back to 800x600 to make him happy.

>_<

 

[dcleary]

I'm having the same problem. Used Windows XP for years and could stare at it all day with no eye fatigue. Just upgraded to Windows 8 and only after a few minutes' use, start feeling muscle fatigue around my eyes. Went to eye do - everything good. Tried changing the resolution, brightness, contrast, etc. Does anyone else have this issue and has been able to resolve it? I'm wondering if I need a new monitor as well. Thanks for any input.

 

[tfouto]

I'm having the same problem. Used Windows XP for years and could stare at it all day with no eye fatigue. Just upgraded to Windows 8 and only after a few minutes' use, start feeling muscle fatigue around my eyes. Went to eye do - everything good. Tried changing the resolution, brightness, contrast, etc. Does anyone else have this issue and has been able to resolve it? I'm wondering if I need a new monitor as well. Thanks for any input.

https://discussions.apple.com/thread/1677617?start=0&tstart=0

 

[Cerb]

Start, search for "clear", which aught to be enough. Run the Adjust Cleartype text wizard. If you can't find a usable setting, it can be turned off from the same wizard.

 

[MiranSMS]

Hi!

Has anyone adjusted things that eyes do not hurt anymore?

I have the same problem. I was working on windows XP for many years and I was working 11 hours a day and had no problems with eyes. I have switched to windows 7 on the same computer, but my eyes hurts after few minutes. And my sight is worse.

I have reduced brightness on my monitor. I have tried application FLUX. It is nice but it does not help enough. I have completly removed cleartype, set Windows classic theme, and set fonts to Tahoma using this instructions:

http://hellspawndev.blogspot.com/2011/06/completley-disbable-font-smoothing-and.html.

Now it is a little better but it is still not good enough. I do not understand why on windows XP my eyes did not hurt but on windows 7 they do hurt. Maybe it has to do something with luminance which could maybe be different in windows 7.

Please let me know if somebody resolved this issue with sore eyes problem.

Thank you very much for your help in advance.
Miran.

 

[lazybedone]

I am also having severe headaches and eye strains since using my device with a Windows 7 OS. The OS works perfectly fine. Maybe its just my eye that has a problem. Too much stress on my part and less rest could cause this so basically I should visit the doctor for a check up.