Do LCD monitors at the wrong resolution mess up your eyes?

[ES_Revenge]

I'm using this Acer AL1916W (VGA input only) LCD monitor at work and find that it's very hard on my eyes... After using it for even a short time, say perhaps a half hour or so, my eyes begin to hurt--like my eyeballs are in physical pain. I wear contacts but I've tried coming to work without my contacts on but it's the same thing.

The thing is the monitor is not set to a proper resolution as it seems the videocard driver installed (a stock MS/Windows one) doesn't have widescreen resolution options on it.

It's set to 1024x768 but the monitor is a widescreen so the image is stretched. Unlike a TV it doesn't seem like there is any option to put "black bars" on the sides and display the a 4:3 image as 4:3 on the monitor--it's just zoomed/stretched or nothing. :( At the streteched resolution, text seems unclear/blocky but it isn't actually that hard to read but my eyes do start to hurt after a little while using it.

Though I can change the resolution (there are no widescreen seetings), I can't change the video driver (or do much of anything) because of the lack of account rights.

I have a CRT Trinitron at my computer home but I have used different LCDs before and none hurt my eyes like this one does. It is because it's set to a non-native resolution or is it just because this monitor isn't very good, or?

[dreadknot69]

You're gonna have to get that video card driver fixed. LCDs really should be in their native resolution, especially if you're in physical pain. I'm sensitive to it myself, so I know how you feel.

If you can't get the driver corrected, or the card simply can't put out the proper resolution, then either replace the card or the monitor.

[board123]

Different monitors will have different scaling qualities. Some would be atrocious unless they're running at native resolution.

Get your driver thing fixed. Looking at blurry unfocused text is really bad for your eyes because your eyes are constantly trying to focus, even though it's impossible.

[blainehamilton]

Contact IT, tell them you need a proper video driver installed, and set to the native resolution.

While I question it is actually painful, it is irksome to have to use an LCD not set to native res. Text and graphics look horrid in some cases...

1440x900 is where you want to be.

[ppl4golf]

There is a good chance Powerstrip may fix it for you

[board123]

There is a good chance Powerstrip may fix it for you
No it wouldn't because the driver he has installed doesn't support 1440x900, and he can't change the driver.

[ES_Revenge]

Contact IT, tell them you need a proper video driver installed, and set to the native resolution.

Yeah problem is "IT" is like one person and she doesn't really like to do stuff like that. If something's not working she'll fix it but otherwise she's never really too interested. I'm sure if I ask I'll get ignored :( though I'll give it a shot.

No it wouldn't because the driver he has installed doesn't support 1440x900, and he can't change the driver.
Yeah and I can't install things (like Powerstrip) either >:(

Thanks for the replies though, good to know it's probably not a problem with my eyes but rather the monitor/res.

[fitbrit]

The only permanent damage it'll do is to make you see fat people everywhere.

[Hot Ice]

Yeah problem is "IT" is like one person and she doesn't really like to do stuff like that. If something's not working she'll fix it but otherwise she's never really too interested. I'm sure if I ask I'll get ignored :( though I'll give it a shot.


Yeah and I can't install things (like Powerstrip) either >:(

Thanks for the replies though, good to know it's probably not a problem with my eyes but rather the monitor/res.

are you sure IT wouldn't do it for that? talk to your manager about your hurt eyes, he/she will make it happens for you. There are IT standards, but there are always exceptions.