Key Takeaways:
- PMW can cause eye strain and fatigue and in severe cases age-related macular degeneration or even vision loss.
- Flicker-free monitors rely on a steady stream of light to adjust brightness
- Not all monitors marketed as “flicker-free” are truly flicker-free and may exhibit flickering at lower brightness settings.
In our connected world, more of us are spending time in front of screens than ever before. While most people know that spending hours in front of a monitor can impact their eyes and lead to developing headaches, not everyone is familiar with flicker-free monitor technology. They’re also not aware of monitors with warranties for productivity, such as the Pixio FreeSync certified productivity warranty our review discusses. Understanding just how monitors can contribute to eye strain and other health concerns will help you make a more informed decision the next time you shop for a great monitor.
Screen Flickering and Your Health
Officially known as pulse-width modulation (PMW), screen flickering occurs when a monitor rapidly turns the backlight on and off. Although flickering isn’t detectable to the human eye, it can lead to eye strain and cause headaches in some people.
Moreover, it doesn’t allow for seamless gameplay as FreeSync does. If you want to know what is FreeSync and how it works, check out our resources articles.
Tip: screen flickering occurs when a monitor rapidly turns the backlight on and off
How Does Screen Flickering Impact Your Eyes
Even though you’re not actively aware of the flickering, that doesn’t mean that your body isn’t responding to it. Specifically, your pupils are tracking the flickering. As a result, they contract and dilate to adjust to the change in brightness.
Warning: your pupils are tracking the flickering
As a result, over time you’ll experience eye strain or even eye fatigue and is sometimes commonly known as computer vision syndrome. In some cases, this discomfort can occur in just three to four hours of using a monitor that lacks flicker-free technology. In severe cases, excessive exposure to flickering screens can encourage age-related macular degeneration or even vision loss.
Tip: over time you’ll experience eye strain or even eye fatigue and is sometimes commonly known as computer vision syndrome
Warning: this discomfort can occur in just three to four hours of using a monitor that lacks flicker-free technology. In severe cases, excessive exposure to flickering screens can encourage age-related macular degeneration or even vision loss
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Common Symptoms of Computer Vision Syndrome
You’ll find in our review of the ViewSonic XG2401 G-Sync, we discuss blue-light filter, which can protect your eyes. Although, without it, you’ll have vision problems. So, if you suspect that your computer monitor might be harming your eyes, here are some common symptoms associated with computer vision syndrome.
- Double vision
- Red or dry eyes
- Blurred vision
- Irritated eyes
- Headaches
- Neck and back pain
Flicker-free Monitors Improve Eye Health
Most modern monitors on the market today are designed to be flicker-free. This means that these monitors rely on direct current (DC) modulation to manage screen brightness. As compared to older monitors, these models don’t turn the backlight on and off rapidly. Instead, they use a contrast light stream regardless of the brightness level.
Tip: Most modern monitors on the market today are designed to be flicker-free
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But Buyer Beware
While flicker-free monitors are the norm rather than a luxury upgrade these days, some manufacturers still rely on PMW yet market their monitors as flicker-free. While this typically won’t bother individuals who prefer a brighter screen, the issue comes into place for people who prefer to work with a lower brightness setting. Often, PWM is triggered when the brightness setting is below 50% with the most common trigger range being between 20 to 30%.
Warning: some manufacturers still rely on PMW yet market their monitors as flicker-free
Warning: Often, PWM is triggered when the brightness setting is below 50% with the most common trigger range being between 20 to 30%
How to Confirm a Monitor is Flicker-free
Thankfully, you don’t need expensive equipment to determine if your computer monitor is truly flicker-free. All you need is a smartphone with a working camera. To perform the test, set the computer brightness display to the peak setting. Next, turn on your smartphone’s camera and aim it at the computer screen.
Tip: you don’t need expensive equipment to determine if your computer monitor is truly flicker-free
While still viewing your computer screen through the camera, begin to adjust the brightness to 50% and slowly down to zero. If PWM is present, it will become more obvious as the brightness is lowered.
Warning: If PWM is present, it will become more obvious as the brightness is lowered
STAT:
Displays that use PWM introduce flicker only at lower brightness settings (lower than 20%-30%, sometimes below ~50%). (displayninja.com)
Studies reveal that after only 3 to 4 hours of use of a traditional computer monitor one that’s not engineered with flicker-free technology – 90% of computer users may experience eye fatigue. (viewsonic.com)
Sources:
https://www.viewsonic.com/library/tech/how-flicker-free-monitors-contribute-to-eye-health/#What_Is_On-Screen_Flicker_and_How_Does_it_Harm_Your_Eyes
https://www.asus.com/microsite/display/eye_care_technology/
https://www.displayninja.com/what-is-flicker-free-technology/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pulse-width_modulation
https://www.oled-info.com/pulse-width-modulation-pwm-oled-displays
