What makes a person get eyestrain from a computer, but not a book?

Question

Just curious as I sit here and strain my eyes, lol.

I can read a book for hours, but after about an hour on the computer, I get an eyestrain headache.

Is this common?

I've seen an eyedoctor and my glasses are correct. I'm just wondering what causes it?

Thanks

Answer 1

well, the same thing happens 2 me. the bright colors of the computers and the energy given off make your eyes distort images, especially on computers, in books, there's nothing colorful really, so, ya, hope this helps

Answer 2

It's sometimes the flicker on your computer monitor. Even if you have a relatively newer one, but ESPECIALLY if you have an old CRT one, even if you're not 'seeing' the flicker, your mind is perceiving the flicker.

In the case of old CRT monitors, since they are not entirely flat, the eye is forced to change focus very rapidly as you move along the rise and fall of the screen.

Moral of the story: if you have an old monitor, throw it out. If you have a new one, use larger fonts, lower or increase the brightness, try altering which COLOUR is the brightest (red, as oppsed to an even balance) and, most importantly: TAKE BREAKS. For every 10 minutes you spend on the computer, spend another 10 or more seconds staring out a window at a distant object, or at the farthest object in the room you're in.

Answer 3

Sometimes the brightness of the screen and color ur c-ing is 2 much 4 ur eyes! So 2 help prevent that, go ahead and put on 1 of those screen protectors or u could wear ur sunglasses (ha ha but it works!). U could always turn the brightness down on the computer, 2, if that helps. I get eyestrain 2 after being on the computer 2 long, so I just take a 10 sec break and let my eyes relax.

Books don't tend to b that bright and r a bland color so they don't really make ur eyes hurt if u read 2 much.

Answer 4

Also, computer users tend to blink less.  You end up drying your eyes and that can cause discomfort (although not strain).  There might be a competing light source.  This is when the light from your computer competes with a bright overhead light or backlighting from a nearby window.  This also creates strain.  The position of your computer monitor can also cause strain; you can move a book closer and further away until you feel like your in focus but a monitor is much more static.  If its an ackward focusing distance you can strain your eyes.