Is my monitor making me go blind?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the potential impact of different types of computer monitors on eye health, particularly focusing on the comparison between LCD and CRT monitors. Participants share personal experiences regarding their eyesight and eye strain, exploring whether their symptoms are related to monitor usage or other factors.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses concern that using an old CRT monitor has worsened their eyesight compared to using an LCD monitor, which they find easier on the eyes.
  • Another participant suggests that regular breaks from the computer could help alleviate eye strain, although this is contested by others who point out that reading books also involves focusing on close objects.
  • A participant mentions that their eyesight has deteriorated over the past year, suspecting that constant computer use may be a contributing factor.
  • Some participants argue that CRT monitors are generally more problematic for eye comfort than LCDs, with one suggesting that increasing the refresh rate of CRT monitors could reduce eye strain.
  • Another participant claims to have 20/20 vision and does not experience eye problems despite using an old-style monitor, indicating variability in individual experiences.
  • One participant shares a negative experience with a CRT monitor, describing it as blurry and hard on the eyes, contrasting it with their positive experience using a laptop screen.
  • A participant humorously notes that despite extensive computer use, they have not noticed a decrease in visual strength.
  • Another participant admits to becoming nearsighted after years of computer use, suggesting a possible link between monitor usage and vision changes.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the impact of CRT versus LCD monitors on eye health, with some advocating for the benefits of LCDs while others share personal experiences that suggest varying effects. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the definitive causes of eye strain and vision changes.

Contextual Notes

Participants reference personal experiences and anecdotal evidence without providing conclusive scientific backing. There is a lack of consensus on the specific factors contributing to eye strain and vision deterioration.

Cyrus
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When I bought my new comptuer, it came with a nice LCD monitor. My understanding is that these LCD's don't refresh. They only refresh the pixel that changes; therefore, they are much much easier on the eyes. I find looking at this flat screen highly tolerable. But the LCD is on the computer downstairs my parents use. I use the newer computer upstairs, but with the old monitor. That monitor is a tube monitor, it's not LCD. I sware there is something about that monitor that is causing my eyes to go bad. I've been using it for a few months now, 4-5, and I think my eyes got very bad. When I was using the LCD for some time, I had no problems. When I switched back, my eyes turned to trash. I don't know what happened, but now I can't even read street signs, you know, those big ones on the beltway.....:frown: I could also read my book with my glasses off from 3 feet away, now I have to press my nose into the pages. Past 1 foot and my eyes become out of focus. I used to be able to take my glasses off and see, but not very sharp. Now I can't even see my hand if I stick it out. Its all a blurry mess... It's not so bad during the day, but at night time it's not good. I bought a new flat screen from dell to replace that old minotor. But I thought I saw something on TV saying that they just cause eye strain, but not irreversible damage. I don't know if its just severe eye strain or not. Sometimes it feels like my eyelids are twitching a little. My glasses are going to be upgraded to telescopes. I hope it goes away soon...hah yea right...I hope its nothing serious like diabetes. That would not be good.
 
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You should make sure to regular breaks from the computer to rest your eyes and focus on something far away.
 
But most of my time is not looking at the monitor, its reading my book. And I read off and on, so the breaks are already there.
 
Reading a book isn't much different from reading your monitor. You're still focusing on something close so you're not really giving your eyes a break.
 
I said I read it off and on.
 
Oh I thought you meant you would alternate between reading your book and being at the computer.
 
What can i say but...

:smile: :smile: :smile: :smile: :smile:

Crazy cyruses always getting into trouble
 
Blindness is not funny...
 
You know, I have been wondering if my LCD screens are causing eye problems. There is no doubt that my eyesight has taken a big dive over the last year, and my sense is that the computers are part of the problem. Of course I'm staring at a computer almost constantly these days...
 
  • #10
My LCD is not the problem, its the tube monitor that's the problem. I find the LCD much easier on the eyes.
 
  • #11
CRT monitors are definitely a problem. After a while, my eyes would hurt. With this LCD... geez i could stare at the computer for a day and nothing would happen outside of me being tired :P
 
  • #12
Check the frequency of your CRT monitor. If it is 60Hz then that is the problem. Recommended frequency is >75Hz. To reduce strain on your eyes increase the frequency and reduce brightness.
 
  • #13
I don't know how long you guys actually spend on the computer, but I have a old style monitor and my eyes are fine.

I thought they got weaker, but I guess I was wrong when I was studying with my girlfriend and her friend. I was sitting across the table and I mentionned something about their work after reading the paper they had on the table. Then they were like shocked that I can read things that small from so far away. I guess I'm ok.

I went to the eye doctor no more than 2 years ago and I had 20/20 so I know I'm not near-sighted.
 
  • #14
I can't say that I know anything about your problem but I can say that my Dad's old monitor is really hard on the eyes. I used that thing for years before I finally got my own laptop. Its screen is really clear...I used it for a few months before having to switch back to my Dad's computer when my laptop stopped working. God, that was horrible...I never realized just how bad his monitor is. Everything was blurry and I had to blink several times to get my eyes to adjust. It was like as his computer's monitor got worse, my eyes just went right with it.:bugeye:
 
  • #15
I've been looking at things for a while. Even hazardous things, such as computer monitors, books, and the body of a naked women (in both). I have not noticed a decrease in visual strength.
 
  • #16
After years of being a hardcore computer user, my eye-sight have gone bad. I became nearsided because of computers, heh.
 

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