Now don’t get me wrong, I love hanging out and posting here, but I’ve noticed after I spend more than an hour or so reading text on my computer I start to get a headache and get slightly dizzy. I don’t seem to have this problem when I use graphics applications and the like. I’ve had jobs where I used Photoshop and I had to stare at the screen for hours and I never experienced much discomfort. It only seems to happen when I read text.
Has anyone experienced this, and do anyone know what causes it?
Get reading glasses. Or set your browser font bigger.
Are there any particular posters that are more of a problem than others?
Thanks.
I don’t need any glasses, my vision is fine. I’ve changed the font size, maybe that will help. I’m not sure if that’s the problem, since its happened with a variety of text applications, but it won’t hurt to try.
You may not need glasses to read a book or anything, but a computer screen is different. I had the same problem and went to the eye doctor. Glasses could very well be your answer, don’t be so quick to dismiss it.
Also, how bad is the glare on your screen? It there a light shining down on it? You may want to get something to reduce the glare. If there is a light directly behind your computer (window, lamp, etc) then that could also contribute to eye strain. Make sure there’s as little glare as possible on your screen, and the area behind the screen isn’t brighter.
And get your eyes checked. Seriously.
Check the settings on your monitor. If the refresh rate is bellow 65Hz it an give you a headache, at least it does for me and several people I know.
Thanks again.
Hmmm… I’ll think about an eye exam. Although the last time I had one my vision was 20/21 (or 21/20 I can’t remember).
Glare drives me nuts, so I already have that at a minimum.
I have a my monitor in front of a window, so the backgrouind is often brighter. What’s wrong with that? I sure would hate not being able to look out the window while my computer was chugging away on a graphics file.
Pluto,
no, everyone here is wonderful 
Oh, baby. Once, long ago, when both I and computers were new to the world, I had an office job running a word processor, and every day I would have the most unbelievable headache by lunchtime. The office manager and I finally figured out that my word processor was right in front of the window, so it was basically silhouetted against the light, and I was subconsciously squinting to see the screen. She got somebody to install a set of mini-blinds, and like magic my headaches went away. Even if you don’t realize that there’s glare from the window, it’s still there. Move the monitor, or put up some shades.
Put the monitor at a right angle to the window, then you can look out while the computer is chugging.
Also, the height of your chair can make a difference. If it’s too low, you sit there slumped with your head and neck at an odd angle, which can give you a headache, and weird numb spots at the top of your spine.
Now I think we’re getting warmer. Thanks for the suggestion!
Could be the entrancing subject matter and repartee leads you to hunch over in concentration; could be the unconscious stretch of brain neurons and ganglia jaded by lesser mental fare; could be oxygen deprivation caused by gusts of laughter and gasps of awe.
Along with monitor settings for font size and brightness, your chair and those other things.
Veb