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From: dyckman@TCGOULD.TN.CORNELL.EDU (Howard L. Dyckman)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.workstations
Subject: SCREENS HURT EYES (Mac SE, Plus)
Message-ID: <2612@batcomputer.tn.cornell.edu>
Date: Tue, 10-Nov-87 20:15:54 EST
Article-I.D.: batcompu.2612
Posted: Tue Nov 10 20:15:54 1987
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[Correct date is
	Date: 11 Oct 87 01:15:54 GMT
-ds]

My eyes have been hurt by some recent Macintosh screens (SE, Plus).
Symptoms include sensitivity to light, dryness, grittiness under the
eyelids, soreness.  A brief exposure produced only soreness.

Another screen was mildly irritating; I had to use it with the
intensity turned down low.

These screens feel harsh to my eyes; they also "feel" brighter than
they look.

I am an experienced Mac user; older Mac screens have never hurt my
eyes.

Has anyone encountered problems like this?  (PLEASE BE ALERT TO PEOPLE
YOU KNOW OR MIGHT HEAR ABOUT.)  If so, please reply to me directly.
You can also post on the comp.sys.mac bulletin board.

     Howard L. Dyckman, Dept. of Electrical Engineering, Phillips Hall,
     Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853.
          dyckman@tcgould.tn.cornell.edu

Here's more info:

The screens which bothered me had purple tint or blue with slight
purple tint.  I have inspected some of them; mfr is Clinton Taiwan
Corp.

Eyes hurt much worse than what ophthalmologist describes here:

In article <993@ski.UUCP> dr@ski.UUCP (David Robins) writes:
>As an ophthalmologist, I have seen many computer-related eye
>problems.  All of them have turned out to be *NOT* due to the
>computer equipment itself, except when an out-of-focus or flickering
>system causes eyestrain.  ... Staring at anything, but particularly a
>terminal, reduces the blink rate.  Tear evaporation takes place, and
>air "burns" the conjunctiva and cornea.  This leads to dryness,
>grittyness, foreign body sensation, burning, and sometimes
>photophobia (light sensitivity).  It can feel just like UV keratitis
>(corneal burn).  ...
>Treatment is the same, but UV burn takes 1-2 days to heal, whereas
>dry eye heals overnight.  One uses artificial tears, an
>over-the-counter preparation, every 1-2 hours, ointment at bedtime
>optional.

My eyes have been sore, dry, and sensitive for months, not 1-2 days.
They are recovering slowly.  At one time, my eyes were so dry that
mild breezes bothered them, making it very uncomfortable to take a
walk outdoors.  These and other symptoms were caused by some recent
Macintosh computer screens (SE, Plus).  Prior to this experience,
other exposures produced symptoms which lasted for days.

I am an experienced Mac user; older Mac screens (as well as other
computer screens) have never hurt my eyes.

Ophthalmologist's reply above is well meant but is not the explanation
for my symptoms.

If you know of anyone who has had similar problems (perhaps milder or
shorter lasting) please contact me directly.

     Howard L. Dyckman, Dept. of Electrical Engineering, Phillips Hall,
     Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853.
          dyckman@tcgould.tn.cornell.edu