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Screens for sensitive eyes and brains
Screens affect some people far more than others. These guides explain how screen light, flicker and dithering relate to common conditions, with the research behind each one.
Headaches and pain
- Migraines, headaches and screensUp to 80% of people with migraine are sensitive to light during attacks, and flicker is a known headache trigger. What the research shows about screens.
- Neck, jaw and shoulder tension from screensEye strain, glare and flicker can show up as a tight neck, a clenched jaw and tension headaches. What the research shows and how to make your screen easier.
- Fibromyalgia, light sensitivity and screensMany people with fibromyalgia find ordinary light and sound unpleasant, and brain scans help explain why. What makes a screen gentler to use.
Eyes and vision
- Digital eye strain: what actually causes itAbout half of computer users get digital eye strain. What causes it, why blue-light glasses probably won’t fix it, and how screen flicker and glare play a part.
- Dry eyes and screensPeople blink far less at screens, which dries the eyes, and dry eye often brings light sensitivity. What the research shows and how to make screen time easier.
- Light sensitivity (photophobia) and screensPhotophobia makes light uncomfortable or painful. Common causes, why screens are especially hard, and what makes a screen easier on light-sensitive eyes.
- Visual snow syndrome and screensMost people with visual snow syndrome have other visual symptoms, and light sensitivity is one of the most common. What helps make screens easier to use.
- Blepharospasm and screensMost people with blepharospasm are sensitive to light, and bright light can trigger spasms. Why, and what to look for in a gentler screen.
Brain and nervous system
- ADHD, light sensitivity and screensAdults with ADHD report light sensitivity far more often, and many have a late body clock. What the research shows and what to look for in a screen.
- Autism, sensory sensitivity and screensMost autistic people experience sensory differences, and bright or flickering light is a common complaint. What makes a screen more sensory-friendly.
- Screens after a concussionLight sensitivity is one of the most common symptoms after a concussion. Why it happens, how long it can last, and what makes screen time easier.
- Screens, dizziness and vestibular migraineBusy, moving or flickering visuals can make you dizzy, especially with vestibular migraine or visual vertigo. Why it happens and how to set up an easier screen.
Sleep and the body clock
- Screens, blue light and sleepBlue light from screens holds back melatonin and delays sleep. What the studies found, whether night mode helps, and how to choose a better evening screen.
- Night owls, delayed sleep phase and screensCan’t fall asleep until the early hours? Your body clock may run late. How evening light shifts it later, what morning light does, and choosing a better screen.
- Kids, screens and sleepChildren’s melatonin is far more sensitive to evening light than adults’. What the research shows about screens at bedtime and how to set up gentler evenings.
Screen sensitivities
- PWM sensitivity: why some screens hurt your eyesPWM dims screens by flashing the backlight on and off. Why some people get headaches and eye strain from it, how to spot it, and how DC dimming avoids it.
- Dithering sensitivity: when pixels never sit stillTemporal dithering makes pixels flicker between shades to fake extra colors. What it is, why some people react to it, and how to find a screen without it.
Three things that make a screen hard to live with
- Blue light at night
White LEDs peak in the blue light that tells your body it’s morning. The Firelight’s filament light is about 5% blue.
Compare the light - Flicker from PWM
Many screens dim by flashing the backlight on and off. The Firelight uses DC dimming, so it never pulses.
See DC dimming - Dithering from FRC
6-bit panels flicker pixels between shades to fake colors. The Firelight’s true 8-bit panel holds every pixel still.
See the difference