Other Eye-strain while using iPhone X and up

[TDDM]

Would it be a bad idea to give it a few weeks to see if my eyes get used to the screen?

I moved over literally everything from android to iOS, sold my S8, etc specifically for the X. I'd rather not have to undo all of that if I don't need to.

If most other people are fine, and I've never had a problem with other OLED screens, is there any harm in trying to get my eyes used to the screen? It does cause discomfort during use, but I was hoping thay would be temporary.

 

[flowave]

Would it be a bad idea to give it a few weeks to see if my eyes get used to the screen?

I moved over literally everything from android to iOS, sold my S8, etc specifically for the X. I'd rather not have to undo all of that if I don't need to.

If most other people are fine, and I've never had a problem with other OLED screens, is there any harm in trying to get my eyes used to the screen? It does cause discomfort during use, but I was hoping thay would be temporary.

I personally would not risk it. The iPhone X is pulsing bright lights (PWM) into your eyes and your pupil is having difficult time to adjusting the brightness of the light for your eyes. Just get iPhone 8 or 7 and transfer with iTunes backup.

 

[mstgkillr]

I had an ocular migraine for the first time on Saturday, which quickly had me on my way to the ER! It really scared me, I thought I was having a stroke or some other significant medical event. It started off as a small blurry spot in the center of my vision, then progressed into a rainbow zigzag mess of colors taking almost half of my field of view. In about 25 min it subsided but left me completely worn out and in the ER. After a CT scan, I was sent on my way with a diagnosis of ocular migraine.

I still have a followup this week with an ophthalmologist for a complete eye exam but I'm leaning towards my iPhone X having something to do with it. I've been using the X since launch and have noticed slight eye strain towards the end of the day, which is something I normally do not experience.

 

[TDDM]

I personally would not risk it. The iPhone X is pulsing bright lights (PWM) into your eyes and your pupil is having difficult time to adjusting the brightness of the light for your eyes. Just get iPhone 8 or 7 and transfer with iTunes backup.

When you say "I would not risk it", are you saying there could potentially be permanent damage or something? It's so weird that this is happening, considering most people are completely fine with staring at a screen with PWM.

As for the 7/8, I really was only interested in the X, otherwise I'd have to move everything back again. I'd rather not have to do that if the screen issue is just temporary.

 

[andyp350]

I think sometimes new devices/displays can take a while to adjust to. When I first got my rMBP I got such bad head aches that I genuinely considered returning but it they eventually stopped completely after a week or so.
I think when you have a new device you end up spending a lot more time on it than you usually do, even if you aren’t aware of it, which will also be a factor in eye strain.

 

[5105973]

I had an ocular migraine for the first time on Saturday, which quickly had me on my way to the ER! It really scared me, I thought I was having a stroke or some other significant medical event. It started off as a small blurry spot in the center of my vision, then progressed into a rainbow zigzag mess of colors taking almost half of my field of view. In about 25 min it subsided but left me completely worn out and in the ER. After a CT scan, I was sent on my way with a diagnosis of ocular migraine.

I still have a followup this week with an ophthalmologist for a complete eye exam but I'm leaning towards my iPhone X having something to do with it. I've been using the X since launch and have noticed slight eye strain towards the end of the day, which is something I normally do not experience.

Whoa, if you don’t mind please let us know what the ophthalmologist says. I’m really sorry you suffered so badly. Wow.

 

[mazdamiata210]

Funny how people complaining about their "I" not typing correctly makes it on the news, but serious health concerns like this don't.

 

[5105973]

Would it be a bad idea to give it a few weeks to see if my eyes get used to the screen?

I moved over literally everything from android to iOS, sold my S8, etc specifically for the X. I'd rather not have to undo all of that if I don't need to.

If most other people are fine, and I've never had a problem with other OLED screens, is there any harm in trying to get my eyes used to the screen? It does cause discomfort during use, but I was hoping thay would be temporary.

I have an S8+. I’ve read ebooks comfortably on it. I’ll try reading an ebook on my new X and see how it goes.

I played way too much Animal Crossing yesterday. I didn’t notice any worse eye strain than when I spend too much time on an iPad. One of my Samsung’s used to give me sore eyes. I can’t remember for sure which one. It might have been the S7 Edge but I don’t know. I don’t know if S8 screens are very different from IPhone X displays and have this PWM thing going on. I’ll have to flip back on this thread and see if anyone already commented on that.

 

[flowave]

When you say "I would not risk it", are you saying there could potentially be permanent damage or something? It's so weird that this is happening, considering most people are completely fine with staring at a screen with PWM.

As for the 7/8, I really was only interested in the X, otherwise I'd have to move everything back again. I'd rather not have to do that if the screen issue is just temporary.

After PWM screen exposure my eyes needs time to heal. For me it is 1-3 days being absent from the screen depending on the exposure. Now my eyes are tired of healing since getting iPhone X and I cannot even look at it for 5 seconds. After exposure, I get headache, eye pain, and pain in driving at night as my eyes are weakened. What if your body stops healing after getting too tired of healing? It could get permanent. We are all getting old after all. I am not risking it.

All screens are different. I selectively choose a monitor that does not strain my eyes. Current one, I can look at it 8 hours a day no problem. MacBook Pro screen? I can look at it for maybe 2 hour comfortably, but after that my eye gets tired. Why settle for something that strains your eye when you know can buy that you can comfortably use without any strain?

Don't test or argue with what your body tells you, you will eventually pay the price. Well that's from my personal experience aside from this eye straining condition.

 

[vacay]

Has Apple officially acknowledged this as potential issue for some people? Does anyone know where to find this formal statement on their website or press release?

 

[TDDM]

After PWM screen exposure my eyes needs time to heal. For me it is 1-3 days being absent from the screen depending on the exposure. Now my eyes are tired of healing since getting iPhone X and I cannot even look at it for 5 seconds. After exposure, I get headache, eye pain, and pain in driving at night as my eyes are weakened. What if your body stops healing after getting too tired of healing? It could get permanent. We are all getting old after all. I am not risking it.

Good points. My symptoms aren’t as severe as yours, but I do get eye strain after a while. It seems like it’s getting better though, so I’m gonna try it for a while.

I find that it helps to kinda relax your eyes while looking at the screen, and not try to focus too hard.

Anyway, have you guys seen the rumor of the 6.1" LCD iPhone with the X form factor for next year? That would be awesome if it turns out to be real.

 

[vannix]

After PWM screen exposure my eyes needs time to heal. For me it is 1-3 days being absent from the screen depending on the exposure. Now my eyes are tired of healing since getting iPhone X and I cannot even look at it for 5 seconds. After exposure, I get headache, eye pain, and pain in driving at night as my eyes are weakened. What if your body stops healing after getting too tired of healing? It could get permanent. We are all getting old after all. I am not risking it.

All screens are different. I selectively choose a monitor that does not strain my eyes. Current one, I can look at it 8 hours a day no problem. MacBook Pro screen? I can look at it for maybe 2 hour comfortably, but after that my eye gets tired. Why settle for something that strains your eye when you know can buy that you can comfortably use without any strain?

Don't test or argue with what your body tells you, you will eventually pay the price. Well that's from my personal experience aside from this eye straining condition.

I had EXACTLY the same symptoms and issues, incredible.

Has Apple officially acknowledged this as potential issue for some people? Does anyone know where to find this formal statement on their website?

Nothing... And no website is making this issue visible at all, this is the strange part.
This is the only one:
https://www.investors.com/news/tech...hone-x-screen-is-giving-some-users-headaches/

Good points. My symptoms aren’t as severe as yours, but I do get eye strain after a while. It seems like it’s getting better though, so I’m gonna try it for a while.

I find that it helps to kinda relax your eyes while looking at the screen, and not try to focus too hard.

Anyway, have you guys seen the rumor of the 6.1" LCD iPhone with the X form factor for next year? That would be awesome if it turns out to be real.

I think they will differentiate the OLED "premium eye destroying" not including the best dual camera on the LCD one unfortunately..

 

[jimmy_uk]

Would it be a bad idea to give it a few weeks to see if my eyes get used to the screen?

I moved over literally everything from android to iOS, sold my S8, etc specifically for the X. I'd rather not have to undo all of that if I don't need to.

If most other people are fine, and I've never had a problem with other OLED screens, is there any harm in trying to get my eyes used to the screen? It does cause discomfort during use, but I was hoping thay would be temporary.

Because I'd complained about the screen hurting my eyes to a friend I think I planted the seed in his head as he also felt he had issues. After a few days he's said to have adjusted and is now loving his X. No harm in trying to persevere while in your returns window.

Personally I have no issues staring at LCDs all day which I do. Something about the X is just not right for some unfortunately and I don't see this issue on the Note 8 for example.

It's kind of like seeing the "pro motion" display in action on the new iPad pros. I can really see the difference and it looks fantastic compared to standard iPad displays.

 

[Proteinaceous]

Because I'd complained about the screen hurting my eyes to a friend I think I planted the seed in his head as he also felt he had issues. After a few days he's said to have adjusted and is now loving his X. No harm in trying to persevere while in your returns window.

Personally I have no issues staring at LCDs all day which I do. Something about the X is just not right for some unfortunately and I don't see this issue on the Note 8 for example.

It's kind of like seeing the "pro motion" display in action on the new iPad pros. I can really see the difference and it looks fantastic compared to standard iPad displays.

Same for me. I can stare at LCD’s all day (I practically do in my work and my personal life). This is the first time I’ve had an issue with a screen like this...and I’m including the good old days of CRT computer screens.

Your first comment is interesting. I wonder how many people with the iPhone X are having these same issues but not even realizing it could be the phone.

 

[Clix Pix]

I just got my iPhone X today and so far am loving it! I haven't noticed any issues with my vision or my eyes but then again I've only had the phone for a few hours and much of that time it's been busy syncing or doing other things so I haven't actually played with it too much except to run through settings and such. Having been following posts about the iPhone X since the beginning, I was aware of potential issues with color shift, True Tone, etc., etc., and I have already turned off True Tone, just as I did a long time ago with my iPad. I haven't yet set up Face ID, as I did not want to do it in the store and by the time I was ready at home it was already getting dark. I'll wait until daytime tomorrow when the lighting is good. I'm happy with my new iPhone and am especially pleased with how comfortable it feels in my hand; that was a big consideration for me, coming from the iPhone 7 Plus, which, while I loved it, always felt just a bit too large. The screen on the iPhone X is gorgeous and the infamous notch doesn't bother me a bit.

 

[j800r]

There’s nothing wrong with the device. Some people are just sensitive to certain things. That’s not Apple’s fault. Don’t use the phone if it gives you trouble. Use something that works for you. Should movies and tv shows be slandered for showing flashing images and/or strobe? I’ve used my device in total darkness, moved into different lighting situations and there is zero flicker. I find the device to be fairly easy on the eyes. If you believe it IS an issue with the device then complain to Apple. They ain’t gonna hear you on here.

 

[dmx]

I haven't had any issues

 

[TDDM]

I’ve used my device in total darkness, moved into different lighting situations and there is zero flicker

There is a flicker on every iPhone X. Most people don't notice it, but it's there for every single device at every brightness level.

If you believe it IS an issue with the device then complain to Apple. They ain’t gonna here you on here.

Well technically it IS an issue with the device, and most of us here have talked to Apple (hopefully). But there's nothing wrong with having a thread to discuss the issue anyway.

 

[j800r]

There is a flicker on every iPhone X. Most people don't notice it, but it's there for every single device at every brightness level.


Well technically it IS an issue with the device, and most of us here have talked to Apple (hopefully). But there's nothing wrong with having a thread to discuss the issue anyway.

You mean somewhere to fruitlessly complain about it. I don’t see what there is to discus. It’s either a problem for people or it isn’t. (This is me discussing btw).

 

[5105973]

There’s nothing wrong with the device. Some people are just sensitive to certain things. That’s not Apple’s fault. Don’t use the phone if it gives you trouble. Use something that works for you. Should movies and tv shows be slandered for showing flashing images and/or strobe? I’ve used my device in total darkness, moved into different lighting situations and there is zero flicker. I find the device to be fairly easy on the eyes. If you believe it IS an issue with the device then complain to Apple. They ain’t gonna here you on here.

Nobody’s complaining, it’s a discussion and not everyone wants to raise a fuss with Apple just to be a jerk about it. We might want to keep on having LCD options or get them to turn the PWM flicker off if that’s even possible at this point. Or just have the OLED displays brought to a different standard in future builds IF we do give Apple feedback, but nobody is trying to narrow options for everyone. We just want to broaden the user base by asking Apple to mitigate a known issue—which won’t be known unless we discuss it. I’m sure Apple would be interested in knowing if they are losing customers to migraines triggered by their top of the line model.

We are just talking amongst ourselves here about personal experiences, nobody is slandering Apple. Tech vs human bodies doesn’t always have a harmonious outcome. Manufacturers need data so they can mitigate these problems. Like Apple has done in the past to reduce triggering contact dermatitis in people allergic to materials used in some past Apple products.

It’s interesting that some known migraine sufferers like myself and my husband seem to be doing okay with these displays while some people who apparently have never had or been diagnosed with a migraine condition are finding themselves triggered and newly diagnosed with migraines. It’s enough to pique one’s scientific curiosity, if nothing else.

 

[TDDM]

You mean somewhere to fruitlessly complain about it. I don’t see what there is to discus. It’s either a problem for people or it isn’t. (This is me discussing btw).

No one is "fruitlessly complaining" lol, we're just talking about the issue. And it's not fruitless to discuss it or any potential solutions. You never know if or when we'll find a way around it.

If you don't like what we're talking about, there are thousands of other threads on this site for you.

 

[tcellguy]

Good points. My symptoms aren’t as severe as yours, but I do get eye strain after a while. It seems like it’s getting better though, so I’m gonna try it for a while.

I find that it helps to kinda relax your eyes while looking at the screen, and not try to focus too hard.

Anyway, have you guys seen the rumor of the 6.1" LCD iPhone with the X form factor for next year? That would be awesome if it turns out to be real.

I saw this rumor too. I wish the X had a 120 Hz ProMotion display >> OLED. I love the iPad 10.5 display. Maybe they will add a high refresh rate LCD. I don’t think OLED can currently go higher than 60 Hz but someone correct me I’d im wrong (screen refresh rate not PWM rate).

 

[5105973]

I haven't had any issues

Are you known to have a history of migraines? If so, what kind?

It may help a little to know if we have confirmed migraine sufferers who are NOT having issues with the new display as well as those who are.

I was working with LED string lights yesterday while decorating the house for the winter holidays. I noticed the lights appear to flicker when I move the string. I presume the flicker is always occurring but I can only perceive it when the lights are moving. They don’t bother me when still but that flickering while in motion irritated my vision. I did not end up with a migraine though. I have in the past been triggered to the point of seizure-like symptoms when viewing the flicker of lasers in concert performances on tv.

So I CAN be triggered by flickering but I guess it has to be at a certain frequency.

The point of all my blathering is to help people recognize there is a lot of variability in how even a migraine sufferer can be triggered. Not all flashes and flickers will affect all migraine sufferers. And we are all going to manifest reactions differently.

Lol, something is causing my distance vision to improve noticeably and it’s kind of freaking me out because I’ve been horribly nearsighted for over 40 years and now I can peer over my glasses and look across the room and see the horizontal window blinds in perfect focus. Vertical lines and general shapes are still blurry but not as bad as usual. This coincides with my getting and using the iPhone X. But how would I know if this is nothing more than coincidence? Lol—maybe instead of migraines I’ll get superpowers—X-Ray vision for the X? Okay, I’ll show myself out.

 

[i hate phones]

I’m not sure that I have a problem with PWM, but the scrolling on the x is killing me. I tend to read/skim text as I scroll and I feel strain when I use twitter and read forums and such. It’s happened to me before, a couple of years ago, so I’m not entirely sure if it’s the X’s screen or if I’m just over using a new product or somehow using it differently. Waiting for my eyes to fully heal and see if it continues to happen. Love the phone besides the eye pain

(I do not get migraines, I’ve had eye strain, that’s lasted a few days, maybe 3 times in the last 10 years)

 

[rafark]

I’m not sure that I have a problem with PWM, but the scrolling on the x is killing me. I tend to read/skim text as I scroll and I feel strain when I use twitter and read forums and such. It’s happened to me before, a couple of years ago, so I’m not entirely sure if it’s the X’s screen or if I’m just over using a new product or somehow using it differently. Waiting for my eyes to fully heal and see if it continues to happen. Love the phone besides the eye pain

I thought you hated phones.