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[Melubas]

So last year something happened and I got chronic dry eye, with eye pain and photophobia to go. Most likely a case of visual snow which is non-curable so far. I've learned to manage it pretty ok, but what really gets me besides from the dry eye is the photophobia (light sensitivity). Bright lights while gaming is like staring into the sun, which makes some HDR implementations near unbearable to look at. Especially hard is bright whites, like for example an all-white background with a logo. It sucks since I'm very into good TV:s and getting the most out of my experience. Some games are also unplayable for me, especially Dragon Quest XI with its vibrant, contrast-rich colors and Return of the Obra Dinn for the same reason. I also can't use my big computer screen for some reason, having to use the PC through the TV when I need it.

Anyone else with photophobia? How are you managing HDR?

 

[Maiden Voyage]

I have light sensitivity but nothing crazy like the above. I just need to wear sunglasses on bright sunny days to counteract.

 

[Majima Everywhere System]

Yes, I can't take the lights! I get flashes and prettty bad after images, along with some effects that seem like my brains graphics card is about to bite the dust.

If you have the means, buy an oled today! Your eyes arent perfect forever, and appreciating good darks is my new passion. You can keep your nits Evil Boris.

Go see eye specialist, get yourself cleared to make sure a recent change in vision isnt related to something big. Then just live it up! I actually found the world was more colorful once I had an issue.

 

[Melubas]

Yes, I can't take the lights! I get flashes and prettty bad after images, along with some effects that seem like my brains graphics card is about to bite the dust.

If you have the means, buy an oled today! Your eyes arent perfect forever, and appreciating good darks is my new passion. You can keep your nits Evil Boris.

Go see eye specialist, get yourself cleared to make sure a recent change in vision isnt related to something big. Then just live it up! I actually found the world was more colorful once I had an issue.

I feel for you my man! It sucks but you get used to it, for better or worse. If I subject myself to it for a long time it can take days to recover. I've gotten checked up multiple times, so I've ruled out the serious stuff, but thanks for looking out

I've actually looked around for information on whether an Oled would be kinder to the eyes in this regard, you're saying it will? Would be a worthy investment then. Got a Samsung Q70r last year and rtings suggested settings were blindingly bright. Kind of regret making that purchase now but it's a great TV otherwise.

 

[Majima Everywhere System]

I feel for you my man! It sucks but you get used to it, for better or worse. If I subject myself to it for a long time it can take days to recover. I've gotten checked up multiple times, so I've ruled out the serious stuff, but thanks for looking out

I've actually looked around for information on whether an Oled would be kinder to the eyes in this regard, you're saying it will? Would be a worthy investment then. Got a Samsung Q70r last year and rtings suggested settings were blindingly bright. Kind of regret making that purchase now but it's a great TV otherwise.

Yeah I had A samsung KS8000 which was touted for brightness at the time. It definitely was too bright for me in a dark room with something like Lion King. You can just take the brightness down rather than adhere to online settings that say 100% backlight only.

OLED is better for focusing on the opposite end of the spectrum, and burn in is a minimal risk on new panels especially if you find brightness between 30-50% more than enough. I still worry just because I like the set. The ability for pixels to be off maintains the look of having a high brightness. Of course, OLED is less consistent in uniformity which may gnaw at you, plus motion clarity is different.

I feel that I can game on OLED and have symptoms subside, then when I am back on LCD/LED they come back. Could help, but it could also be other environmental factors.

 

[JetSetJustin]

I've had visual snow since I was a little kid. I'll say I was maybe 5 when I noticed it and told my mom "I think my vision is bad" or so she tells it. No one knew what I was talking about - even saw an eye doctor back then who had no idea and said my eyes looked fine.

I've gotten super used to it. During the day it isn't all that noticeable but in the dark yes I might as well be staring at the static on a 1950s television. It's the worst in the dark (or looking at dark backgrounds) or on all white surfaces like a white wall. Even with the white background here on GAF I can see it but I'm so used to it, I kind of block it out until I think about it.

Really rattled me as a kid because I was convinced I had something wrong with my eyes and could go blind or something but obviously that hasn't happened.

I still don't really understand it - because there's little info online about it, even the wiki page is small. And doctors don't seem to even be aware of it. Is it strictly a visual phenomenon? Is it neurological? Idk.

But yes, it REALLY looks like old television static/snow.

 

[Husky]

I might. Bright screens kill my eyes, my monitor's always kept at 0% brightness. My phone as well. Even catching a glimpse of someone else's phone at 100% can hurt my eyes.
Never heard of visual snow, glad I don't have that. I've already got the audio equivalent, tinnitus.

I love Alan Wake, but the first time I played it, I had a migraine at the end of each episode. Now that I'm at 0% it's far easier to look at. Luckily this monitor retains its vibrancy, and it's what keeps me from feeling any urgency to upgrade, at least not without demoing a replacement first.

 

[DESTROYA]

Have you tried those gamer glasses that supposedly help with eye strain , not sure if it'll help but I think they block some glare and blue light.

 

[M1chl]

Isn't this symptom of some larger issues in body?

 

[GreenAlien]

and Return of the Obra Dinn for the same reason.

That game has multiple "style" options, did you try all of them?

Every Color Palette in Return of the Obra Dinn

IGN Nordic is your site for everything about PS5, Xbox Series, PC, Switch. With expert reviews, news, previews, trailers and more.

nordic.ign.com

If you still have the game, maybe something like "IBM 8503" , which appears a bit "less bright" to me than the default, or one of the more colorful options, works for you?

 

[Melubas]

Yeah I had A samsung KS8000 which was touted for brightness at the time. It definitely was too bright for me in a dark room with something like Lion King. You can just take the brightness down rather than adhere to online settings that say 100% backlight only.

OLED is better for focusing on the opposite end of the spectrum, and burn in is a minimal risk on new panels especially if you find brightness between 30-50% more than enough. I still worry just because I like the set. The ability for pixels to be off maintains the look of having a high brightness. Of course, OLED is less consistent in uniformity which may gnaw at you, plus motion clarity is different.

I feel that I can game on OLED and have symptoms subside, then when I am back on LCD/LED they come back. Could help, but it could also be other environmental factors.

Yeah that's my main tv (the Q70r is for the bedroom ). Maybe I'll save up and try out an Oled, would be amazing if it was easier to watch HDR at nighttime.

I've had visual snow since I was a little kid. I'll say I was maybe 5 when I noticed it and told my mom "I think my vision is bad" or so she tells it. No one knew what I was talking about - even saw an eye doctor back then who had no idea and said my eyes looked fine.

I've gotten super used to it. During the day it isn't all that noticeable but in the dark yes I might as well be staring at the static on a 1950s television. It's the worst in the dark (or looking at dark backgrounds) or on all white surfaces like a white wall. Even with the white background here on GAF I can see it but I'm so used to it, I kind of block it out until I think about it.

Really rattled me as a kid because I was convinced I had something wrong with my eyes and could go blind or something but obviously that hasn't happened.

I still don't really understand it - because there's little info online about it, even the wiki page is small. And doctors don't seem to even be aware of it. Is it strictly a visual phenomenon? Is it neurological? Idk.

But yes, it REALLY looks like old television static/snow.

Yeah it can be disconcerting. From what I heard visual snow is from the brain not processing visual information correctly. Like there is a "glitch" or something. I actually had a good doctor who when I described my symptoms said: "Do you also have tinnitus?" and when I said yes he said it was most likely visual snow and informed me about it. According to him it could be annoying to live with but isn't dangerous or bad for your eyes per se.

Have you tried those gamer glasses that supposedly help with eye strain , not sure if it'll help but I think they block some glare and blue light.

I've thought about getting one of those. I'm in Sweden though and I would really like the brand Theraspecs since they are supposed to be the best, and I think it would be damn expensive to ship them here. Will ask my optician, thanks for reminding me!

Isn't this symptom of some larger issues in body?

It can be. I've been checked up several times and there is nothing wrong with my eyes that could be serious. Dry eye can cause photophobia apparently, and most people with visual snow have it. But I will get checked out for the usual culprits (hypothyreosis, diabetes etc) once corona slows down over here, don't feel like walking into a hospital right now

That game has multiple "style" options, did you try all of them?

Every Color Palette in Return of the Obra Dinn

IGN Nordic is your site for everything about PS5, Xbox Series, PC, Switch. With expert reviews, news, previews, trailers and more.

nordic.ign.com

If you still have the game, maybe something like "IBM 8503" , which appears a bit "less bright" to me than the default, or one of the more colorful options, works for you?

I went through them all quickly once, but it was when this thing was at its worst so I will give it another go. I hope one of them in combination with lowering brightness even more can help since I reeaaaally want to play it

 

[Hudo]

Can't your wear some sort of shades? Maybe there are even prescription shades available if you ask your doctor?

 

[Melubas]

Can't your wear some sort of shades? Maybe there are even prescription shades available if you ask your doctor?

There are glasses that block some blue light, think I can get those at my next optician-appointment. But I want to clarify that watching TV is fine most of the time, except from bright lights (like flashlights in-game, or whites in HDR). I can go about my day semi-normally most of the time. Thanks for the tip though!

 

[Hudo]

There are glasses that block some blue light, think I can get those at my next optician-appointment. But I want to clarify that watching TV is fine most of the time, except from bright lights (like flashlights in-game, or whites in HDR). I can go about my day semi-normally most of the time. Thanks for the tip though!

I hope it works out for you, man! It doesn't seem to be too bad if you can live day-to-day fairly normally. Hopefully it gets better again!

 

[Rickyiez]

Not really with computer screen , usually I just tone the brightness down and reduce the blue light with F.lux. Sun on the other hand though its almost impossible to be driving without sunglasses. Some of the flare reflection from car's chrome are killers

 

[V4skunk]

You need blue light radiation blocking glasses.
Blue light literally burns the optical nerves away in your eyes. All modern tv's, phones, car headlights and even new street lamps use blue led light.....You cannot get away from it.

 

[Roufianos]

I get awful headaches from bright screens, I remember when it first started 10 years ago, I genuinely thought I had a tumour.

Honestly, 5 minutes on a bright phone and my day's fucked.

I just keep my phone brightness to zero and have my tv on 50 brightness / backlight. Got glasses with anti-glare (or whatever it's called) too.

 

[Kenpachii]

So last year something happened and I got chronic dry eye, with eye pain and photophobia to go. Most likely a case of visual snow which is non-curable so far. I've learned to manage it pretty ok, but what really gets me besides from the dry eye is the photophobia (light sensitivity). Bright lights while gaming is like staring into the sun, which makes some HDR implementations near unbearable to look at. Especially hard is bright whites, like for example an all-white background with a logo. It sucks since I'm very into good TV:s and getting the most out of my experience. Some games are also unplayable for me, especially Dragon Quest XI with its vibrant, contrast-rich colors and Return of the Obra Dinn for the same reason. I also can't use my big computer screen for some reason, having to use the PC through the TV when I need it.

Anyone else with photophobia? How are you managing HDR?

Yea same here, what helps is sitting far away from the screen. This is why i have a massive desk basically. And backlight a screen big time. Like for exmaple have lights behind the screens shining up towards the roof.

 

[Melubas]

Yea same here, what helps is sitting far away from the screen. This is why i have a massive desk basically. And backlight a screen big time. Like for exmaple have lights behind the screens shining up towards the roof.

Hmm, you might be on to something here. My computer monitor is basically 24-inches straight up in my face. Maybe that's why I have such an easier time using the TV? I'll have to try getting a bigger (deeper) desk. I've also noticed that lighting up the room with lamps shining towards the roof helps, most likely to keep the contrast between dark room and bright screen down. Thank you for your answer man, sorry to hear you're having the same troubles as me.

I get awful headaches from bright screens, I remember when it first started 10 years ago, I genuinely thought I had a tumour.

Honestly, 5 minutes on a bright phone and my day's fucked.

I just keep my phone brightness to zero and have my tv on 50 brightness / backlight. Got glasses with anti-glare (or whatever it's called) too.

Yeah I get what you mean. You know when a buddy wants to show you something on his phone and puts it right in your face with brightness at 800% like most people have it, and you feel like a vampire lord or something from the way you hiss at it? Haha.

 

[GoldenEye Samurai]

Thankfully I don't have it. I'd go crazy if I couldn't stare at bright ass screens all day.

 

[GymWolf]

I have very sensitive eyes for sunlight, but other than that, nothing of what you list.

 

[V4skunk]

I get awful headaches from bright screens, I remember when it first started 10 years ago, I genuinely thought I had a tumour.

Honestly, 5 minutes on a bright phone and my day's fucked.

I just keep my phone brightness to zero and have my tv on 50 brightness / backlight. Got glasses with anti-glare (or whatever it's called) too.

Use warm colour grade as well. Or if you can't do that add more red into the colour so white has a slight orange/red tinge.

 

[Dark Star]

I don't leave the house, or drive my car, without sunglasses / shades. I pretty much always keep multiple pairs handy. I can't stand direct sunlight, and living in Texas, we get A LOT of sun year round.

Other than that, maybe "minor" sensitivity to flashes of light. I can sit in front of a computer monitor screen all day, the brightness needs to be around 50% though. My vision is perfect (20/20), and I don't think I'm a vampire, so I'm good lol.

 

[Roufianos]

Use warm colour grade as well. Or if you can't do that add more red into the colour so white has a slight orange/red tinge.

I'll try that, cheers bro. I use the blue light filter on my phone so makes sense a red tinge would help too.