We often use screens for everything: to work, keep up with daily life, relax, etc. But excessive screen time can cause eye strain. If you often spend many hours working on your computer, it helps to invest in a monitor that helps to actively reduce the amount of strain your eyes have to endure. Hence the question is — which of the monitors on the market is the best for the eyes?
No particular monitor brand or model stands out as the best for everyone. So as long as the monitor you choose is not extremely large, has an optimal viewing angle and contrast, has a high refresh rate, and comes with several eye care technology, you are good to go.
Monitors like the Asus PB278Q, ViewSonic VX2457-MHD, and BenQ 24-inch IPS Monitor, amongst several other monitors, are great monitors to buy. However, your budget and what you want to do with the monitor will influence your purchase.
This article discusses how to find the best computer monitor for your eyes.
How To Find the Best Computer Monitor for Your Eyes
When you want to buy the best computer monitor that will reduce eye strain, there are a few things you need to consider. Below are some things to consider when searching for the best monitor to buy for eye strain.
Tip #1: Eye Strain Tech
Most monitors commonly emit blue light, which is the primary concern when protecting your eyes. This blue light decreases the screen’s contrast, leading to eye strain. However, with the advancement in technology, several monitors come with eye strain reduction monitors, which help reduce dry eyes, fatigue, etc. Some of the technologies capitalized by these computer monitors include blue light filters, automatic brightness adjustment, flicker-free, etc.
Regarding the automatic brightness adjustment on some monitors, it works with the light sensors, which help regulate the monitor’s brightness. So, if the room is too dark, the sensor will tune down the screen’s brightness, and if the room is too bright, it brightens the screen. Similarly, the blue light filter on some monitors is built into it to actively block out specific types of light to reduce overall eye strain.
Tip #2: Panel Type
Different monitors come with different screen panels, which play a small part in either being strenuous or easy on the eyes. So, even though you want the best performance when choosing any monitor, you must consider how the monitor panel strains the eyes. For example, the IPS or In-Plane Switching monitor panel is one of the most common monitors with a wider viewing angle and a greater contrast than the TN or Twisted Nematic display, which has a narrower viewing angle.
So many types of panels offer great eye protection and excellent picture quality. The OLED is perhaps the best monitor panel for the eyes as it offers high contrast. Also, if you choose an LED or LCD screen, the former is better as it offers a wider viewing angle without harming image quality and several eye comfort features.
Tip #3: Refresh Rate
The refresh rate of a screen also matters when searching for the best monitor for your eyes. The refresh rate is the number of images the monitor displays per second, measured in Hz. The higher the monitor’s refresh rate, the better it will be on the eyes. So, if you see a monitor with a refresh rate of 60 Hz, it means the monitor displays an average of 60 images per second.
A monitor with up to 60 Hz refresh rate is decent when trying to mitigate eye strain. However, any monitor with a slower refresh rate will likely flicker, which will cause the eyes to work harder.
Tip #4: Viewing Angle and Response Time
Another thing to consider when searching for the best computer monitor is the color contrast, viewing angle, and response time. The contrast of a monitor is the number of hues of colors and vibrancy a monitor is capable of showing. A monitor with high contrast has darker black and brighter whites, which means it has more hues and shades of colors than other monitors. A monitor with more contrast is the best for reducing eye strain.
On the other hand, the response time is the time the monitor takes to display an input. While this feature is pretty lenient, it can still impact eye strain. Using a monitor with a slower response time for an extended period can cause dissonance between what you see and what you are doing. However, the viewing angle is how well you see the picture on the screen. A screen with a large viewing angle tends to be easier on the eyes as they reduce straining to see whatever is displayed concerning your sitting position.
Tip #5: Resolution and Display Size
Finally, having a monitor with a high resolution of at least 1080p or 4K, if possible, and a solid RGB color accuracy helps to reduce eye strain. With this feature, you don’t have to squint your eyes to see anything clearly on the monitor. In other words, texts have sharper edges on this type of monitor, making them physically easy to read and adding up with time.
You also want to consider the size of the screen. A monitor between a 21-inch and a 32-inch screen is optimal for the eyes. At the same time, you don’t want a huge screen, as large screens can cause eye fatigue from frequent eye movement.
If you have an eye issue, using a monitor with better eye protection will not correct your eye condition; you should visit a professional health care professional. This monitor will only help prevent damage, not correct an eye defect.
Conclusion
Getting a good quality monitor that is good for the eyes might cost you a little higher than an ordinary monitor. However, the long-term benefits of this investment are well worth it. So, consider the few tips highlighted in this guide when buying your next computer monitor.
Frequently Asked Questions
A general rule of thumb for positioning your computer monitor is to place it at a distance equal to your arm’s length. At this distance, you are less likely to get eye strain. You wouldn’t have to struggle or squint to read or see the image on your screen because it is not too far from you.
A small screen is bad for your eyes, making seeing small fonts challenging. As a result, you would have to strain your eyes more to read the small text. While you could increase the text size, it often doesn’t look so appealing to the eyes. For this reason, most people who spend most of their time on their smartphones tend to feel eye strain more than people who spend more time in front of a monitor.
