Other Eye-strain while using iPhone X and up

[MICHAELSD]

Started early Nov, maybe Nov 1.

Odd, I wasn’t able to find information about extended holiday returns in the Apple Store app or even a news article on MacRumors.

 

[MICHAELSD]

So this thread has been going on for about 4 years now, and I haven't found a single thing that helps with this flicker sensitivity - until a few weeks ago. I've been doing occlusion therapy for about ~3 weeks now, and have absolutely noticed a huge difference in flicker symptoms by covering one eye with an eyepatch. By covering my left eye, I have a minor/medium reduction in symptoms. Covering the right eye gives a medium/major reduction.

I spoke to my optometrist about this, and he suggested that this may be either the eyepatch helping with a binocular vision dysfunction, or helping simply because the patch reduces the raw amount of flicker I'm seeing. The patch isn't a viable long term solution due to issues with overusing it, but it could potentially help indicate an issue with BVD. I'd be really interested in seeing if others have any kind of success with this, it could be a step forward with our situation.

For reference, I wore the patch on my left eye for a week, wearing the patch for 4-6 hours a day. Then I did a week with the patch on my right eye, same usage times. In both cases (especially while patching my right eye), I saw a noticeable reduction in my usual symptoms (Gritty eyes, eye strain, pulsing pain above temples, headache, nausea).

This may end up being nothing significant, but it's the first thing that's actually worked for me in 4 years, I'm really interested in exploring it further. Has anyone ever tried occlusion therapy with any success?

Occlusion therapy… to use a flickering phone?

 

[The.Glorious.Son]

Odd, I wasn’t able to find information about extended holiday returns in the Apple Store app or even a news article on MacRumors.

Apple's Extended Return Policy Now in Effect for 2021 Holiday Shopping Season

Apple today announced that its extended return policy is now in effect for the holiday shopping season. The policy applies to most products that...

www.macrumors.com

 

[Mastrociambella]

So this thread has been going on for about 4 years now, and I haven't found a single thing that helps with this flicker sensitivity - until a few weeks ago. I've been doing occlusion therapy for about ~3 weeks now, and have absolutely noticed a huge difference in flicker symptoms by covering one eye with an eyepatch. By covering my left eye, I have a minor/medium reduction in symptoms. Covering the right eye gives a medium/major reduction.

I spoke to my optometrist about this, and he suggested that this may be either the eyepatch helping with a binocular vision dysfunction, or helping simply because the patch reduces the raw amount of flicker I'm seeing. The patch isn't a viable long term solution due to issues with overusing it, but it could potentially help indicate an issue with BVD. I'd be really interested in seeing if others have any kind of success with this, it could be a step forward with our situation.

For reference, I wore the patch on my left eye for a week, wearing the patch for 4-6 hours a day. Then I did a week with the patch on my right eye, same usage times. In both cases (especially while patching my right eye), I saw a noticeable reduction in my usual symptoms (Gritty eyes, eye strain, pulsing pain above temples, headache, nausea).

This may end up being nothing significant, but it's the first thing that's actually worked for me in 4 years, I'm really interested in exploring it further. Has anyone ever tried occlusion therapy with any success?

I haven’t tried this (and of course it’s not a solution), npbut I’ve read another user writing that he had no more issues after adjusting his glass prescription, something that could go along with binocular vision dysfunction maybe

 

[MICHAELSD]

Apple's Extended Return Policy Now in Effect for 2021 Holiday Shopping Season

Apple today announced that its extended return policy is now in effect for the holiday shopping season. The policy applies to most products that...

www.macrumors.com

I’m surprised they start that early, and also that I missed this. I guess I didn’t look back far enough

 

[The.Glorious.Son]

I’m surprised they start that early, and also that I missed this. I guess I didn’t look back far enough

I was actively looking for it since I took advantage last year. Otherwise I’d missed it too.

 

[TDDM]

Occlusion therapy… to use a flickering phone?

At least in my case, yeah. I have a more severe sensitivity, so I also have trouble with macs and iPads, etc.

I’m not entirely sure if it’s better due to helping with a potential BVD or if it’s just because it’s reducing the flicker input overall, but there is definitely an improvement. Worth trying IMO.

 

[JM]

So this thread has been going on for about 4 years now, and I haven't found a single thing that helps with this flicker sensitivity - until a few weeks ago. I've been doing occlusion therapy for about ~3 weeks now, and have absolutely noticed a huge difference in flicker symptoms by covering one eye with an eyepatch. By covering my left eye, I have a minor/medium reduction in symptoms. Covering the right eye gives a medium/major reduction.

I spoke to my optometrist about this, and he suggested that this may be either the eyepatch helping with a binocular vision dysfunction, or helping simply because the patch reduces the raw amount of flicker I'm seeing. The patch isn't a viable long term solution due to issues with overusing it, but it could potentially help indicate an issue with BVD. I'd be really interested in seeing if others have any kind of success with this, it could be a step forward with our situation.

For reference, I wore the patch on my left eye for a week, wearing the patch for 4-6 hours a day. Then I did a week with the patch on my right eye, same usage times. In both cases (especially while patching my right eye), I saw a noticeable reduction in my usual symptoms (Gritty eyes, eye strain, pulsing pain above temples, headache, nausea).

This may end up being nothing significant, but it's the first thing that's actually worked for me in 4 years, I'm really interested in exploring it further. Has anyone ever tried occlusion therapy with any success?

I haven’t tried this (and of course it’s not a solution), npbut I’ve read another user writing that he had no more issues after adjusting his glass prescription, something that could go along with binocular vision dysfunction maybe

That’s me

I have astigmatism in my left eye and it’s real blurry. My right eye is perfect. I got glasses for first time in life and hated them because it was correcting my left eye, but the refocusing was a real pain. I stopped wearing them, and had a 7 at the time (no problems). I didn’t wear them for iPhone 12 mini ownership of a week which I had sharp eye pain in both eyes, and neither for 11 ownership of six months (where I had eye fatigue/dullness in my right eye only).

I tried the glasses again because I noticing my vision was blurring a bit at work, so I started wearing them and noticed that the 11 wasnt giving me eye strain/fatigue in my right eye anymore. I could look at 11 as long as I wanted.

It really seemed like now that both my eyes were functioning and it wasn’t all falling on my right good eye, the temporal dithering or whatever of the 11 wasn’t bothering me anymore.

When I took glasses off and looked at phone for a while, the same bother on my right eye happened (because my left eye wasn’t doing anything, haha).

Now that I have the 13 mini, I first started with the glasses only, but then have tried several hours without glasses and I don’t have major issues. (I just get the occasional dry eye feeling and small tight forehead. I’ve adjusted, you could say).

It’s about the same experience with 13 mini, with glasses on or with glasses off. But it is more pleasant to view with both eyes clear.

 

[TDDM]

That’s me

I have astigmatism in my left eye and it’s real blurry. My right eye is perfect. I got glasses for first time in life and hated them because it was correcting my left eye, but the refocusing was a real pain. I stopped wearing them, and had a 7 at the time (no problems). I didn’t wear them for iPhone 12 mini ownership of a week which I had sharp eye pain in both eyes, and neither for 11 ownership of six months (where I had eye fatigue/dullness in my right eye only).

I tried the glasses again because I noticing my vision was blurring a bit at work, so I started wearing them and noticed that the 11 wasnt giving me eye strain/fatigue in my right eye anymore. I could look at 11 as long as I wanted.

It really seemed like now that both my eyes were functioning and it wasn’t all falling on my right good eye, the temporal dithering or whatever of the 11 wasn’t bothering me anymore.

When I took glasses off and looked at phone for a while, the same bother on my right eye happened (because my left eye wasn’t doing anything, haha).

Now that I have the 13 mini, I first started with the glasses only, but then have tried several hours without glasses and I don’t have major issues. (I just get the occasional dry eye feeling and small tight forehead. I’ve adjusted, you could say).

It’s about the same experience with 13 mini, with glasses on or with glasses off. But it is more pleasant to view with both eyes clear.

That’s really interesting, glad to hear you found a solution ?

Do you remember if you ever had the cover-uncover test done by an optometrist? Or have had any diagnosis of a phoria or tropia?

 

[flowave]

I just tried the new 11" iPad pro and it gives me eye strain in matter of a few minutes. I am coming from iPad pro 2nd gen 12.9". Anybody having luck with latest iPads?

Update: I never thought my eyes could adjust to it, but I think it is getting better.

 

[JM]

That’s really interesting, glad to hear you found a solution ?

Do you remember if you ever had the cover-uncover test done by an optometrist? Or have had any diagnosis of a phoria or tropia?

ooh, I had to look up what those were. No, I've never had phoria or tropia.

 

[happy orchard]

I just tried the new 11" iPad pro and it gives me eye strain in matter of a few minutes. I am coming from iPad pro 2nd gen 12.9". Anybody having luck with latest iPads?

Update: I never thought my eyes could adjust to it, but I think it is getting better.

How long has it been between getting and adjusting?

 

[flowave]

How long has it been between getting and adjusting?

Just 5-10 minutes. I tried the previous post tip, trying to close one eye and alternating. Then somehow it felt much better. Now I am using the ipad fine for few hours. It is not as comfortable as previous ipad pro 2nd gen, but I can barely feel the eye strain.

 

[DJTaurus]

Day 3 report. It was good as it lasted with mini 13. On day 2 i had minor head pain. Not a dealbreaker like 12. I could live with that by why take the risk. Also the screen era of mini feels small on browsing. To be honest oled is better for the eyes. More relaxed and soft. It just messes up with your brain. Fortunately i also didn’t have nausea like 12 but still the small headache was bugging me. Whenever i left it away it was gone after a while. Also i don’t know why but i cannot see clear/sharp on oled screens…. like i cannot focus.

 

[asus389]

So this thread has been going on for about 4 years now, and I haven't found a single thing that helps with this flicker sensitivity - until a few weeks ago. I've been doing occlusion therapy for about ~3 weeks now, and have absolutely noticed a huge difference in flicker symptoms by covering one eye with an eyepatch. By covering my left eye, I have a minor/medium reduction in symptoms. Covering the right eye gives a medium/major reduction.

I spoke to my optometrist about this, and he suggested that this may be either the eyepatch helping with a binocular vision dysfunction, or helping simply because the patch reduces the raw amount of flicker I'm seeing. The patch isn't a viable long term solution due to issues with overusing it, but it could potentially help indicate an issue with BVD. I'd be really interested in seeing if others have any kind of success with this, it could be a step forward with our situation.

For reference, I wore the patch on my left eye for a week, wearing the patch for 4-6 hours a day. Then I did a week with the patch on my right eye, same usage times. In both cases (especially while patching my right eye), I saw a noticeable reduction in my usual symptoms (Gritty eyes, eye strain, pulsing pain above temples, headache, nausea).

This may end up being nothing significant, but it's the first thing that's actually worked for me in 4 years, I'm really interested in exploring it further. Has anyone ever tried occlusion therapy with any success?

Have you ever been diagnosed with a convergence disorder? There are exercises for this. Pencil pushups, prism lenses, etc.

 

[jimmy_uk]

Day 3 report. It was good as it lasted with mini 13. On day 2 i had minor head pain. Not a dealbreaker like 12. I could live with that by why take the risk. Also the screen era of mini feels small on browsing. To be honest oled is better for the eyes. More relaxed and soft. It just messes up with your brain. Fortunately i also didn’t have nausea like 12 but still the small headache was bugging me. Whenever i left it away it was gone after a while. Also i don’t know why but i cannot see clear/sharp on oled screens…. like i cannot focus.

It's because your iris is opening wider and shrinking rapidly in reaction to the constant flickering (and micro, rapid changing of brightness) of the display. This will affect your focus. This is why we get headaches because our eyes are working overtime to deal with the information and your body reacts with head pain to let you know something is wrong. This is based on research.

This is your eye reacting to PWM

 

[JM]

.

 

[JM]

This is your eye reacting to PWM
View attachment 1917226

I’m listening to high energy electronic music right now. It goes perfect with that eye.

 

[jimmy_uk]

I am getting the itch to try iPhone 13 Mini…

I gave up on iPhone 13 Pro probably quicker than any iPhone in the past. I do see a potential benefit going from iPhone SE to iPhone 13 Mini. However, it doesn’t appear that holiday returns have started yet. Side note to Apple: I’d like to be able to buy an iPhone I don’t have to plan around returning.

You going for the 13 mini test run then? Will be interested to read if more people can adjust to the Mini this year.

 

[now i see it]

This is absurd.
These new iPhones aren’t worth 5 cents worth of pain.

 

[super chimp]

Just had some light fittings replaced in my home and the guy who did it put in his own LED bulbs and they aren’t doing much for my head. My existing LED bulbs are warm rather than cool and I am guessing I am now going to have to replace all his bulbs. Do others get impacted like this by their home lighting?

 

[now i see it]

LED lights for home lighting are notorious flicker monsters

 

[ghanwani]

Just had some light fittings replaced in my home and the guy who did it put in his own LED bulbs and they aren’t doing much for my head. My existing LED bulbs are warm rather than cool and I am guessing I am now going to have to replace all his bulbs. Do others get impacted like this by their home lighting?

I probably would but I research heavily what I put in and don't use dimming at all.

 

[TDDM]

ooh, I had to look up what those were. No, I've never had phoria or tropia.

Gotcha, just wondering.

Have you ever been diagnosed with a convergence disorder? There are exercises for this. Pencil pushups, prism lenses, etc.

No, and I'm not even sure if I've been tested for it. I'll definitely ask my opthalmologist about that.


===


Speaking of convergence disorders, I'm really curious about eye suppression being a factor here. Basically, if you have any kind of binocular vision disorder, your brain can subconsciously suppress all or part of the image of one of the eyes to eliminate double vision, eye strain, etc.

One of the treatments for this is something called alternate occlusion therapy. This consists of wearing a pair of glasses that flicker back and forth between both of your eyes (up to 5hz), in an attempt to wake up both eyes to prevent suppression & encourage proper binocular vision.

I'm really curious if it's possible that some of us may have some kind of BVD, and looking at flickering screens is essentially like doing a much more intense version of alternate occlusion therapy. It would mean that any time we're looking at a flicker source, it's "waking up" both eyes and preventing any potential suppression, causing eye strain, headaches, eye fatigue, etc. It would also explain why the eyepatch helps, since it's cutting off binocular vision.

It's just a theory at this point, but I'm definitely going to speak with my doctor about it. This is the first time in four years that I've noticed any improvement in symptoms, so I'm hopeful.

I'll post here if I learn anything helpful.

 

[JM]

Gotcha, just wondering.



No, and I'm not even sure if I've been tested for it. I'll definitely ask my opthalmologist about that.


===


Speaking of convergence disorders, I'm really curious about eye suppression being a factor here. Basically, if you have any kind of binocular vision disorder, your brain can subconsciously suppress all or part of the image of one of the eyes to eliminate double vision, eye strain, etc.

One of the treatments for this is something called alternate occlusion therapy. This consists of wearing a pair of glasses that flicker back and forth between both of your eyes (up to 5hz), in an attempt to wake up both eyes to prevent suppression & encourage proper binocular vision.

I'm really curious if it's possible that some of us may have some kind of BVD, and looking at flickering screens is essentially like doing a much more intense version of alternate occlusion therapy. It would mean that any time we're looking at a flicker source, it's "waking up" both eyes and preventing any potential suppression, causing eye strain, headaches, eye fatigue, etc. It would also explain why the eyepatch helps, since it's cutting off binocular vision.

It's just a theory at this point, but I'm definitely going to speak with my doctor about it. This is the first time in four years that I've noticed any improvement in symptoms, so I'm hopeful.

I'll post here if I learn anything helpful.

That would be amazing. Thank you.

If you could please mention my issue as well (how correcting my vision helped with the screens) I would appreciate it!

Our theories are related by it having to do with the eye workings.