eye problems when reading on android tablet

explorer1 · 03-21-2015, 12:51 PM

I read ebooks on the LCD monitor of my Windows PC. Monitor specs are: TN, 19", 89 PPI, CCFL backlight, brightness set to 0% when reading.

At 89 PPI, even with the latest sub-pixel rendering technology, text is not as clear as I would prefer.

I wanted 300 ppi, or at least 220 ppi, so that I can have text of acceptable clarity. So I recently bought an Android tablet, with 216 PPI display. I started to read an ebook on this tablet, with brightness below 20 %, and after 3 or 4 hours of reading on it, I've developed the following simptoms: red eyes (blood vessels on the surface of the eye expanded), itchy eyes, and fatigued eyes.

These simptoms were non-existent when I read on the pc monitor for 3 to 4 hours, and when I read on paper books for 4 hours. The display of this tablet differs from the pc display: it's IPS instead of TN, and it has led backlight instead of ccfl.

I don't know what, in this tablet, causes these eye problems. I don't know if PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) is the cause. Or if the combination of led + pwm causes it.

My questions are:
1. Why reading on this tablet causes red eyes, itcy eyes, and fatigued eyes ? All tables cause this problem, or not all of them ?
2. What can I do to make reading ebooks confortable for the eye ? I don't like night mode (white text on black backgroud), is seems harder to read, so are there any other solutions ?
3. Is reading on an e-ink display more confortable for the eye, than reading on tablets with lcd set to low bightness ?
4. I never read on e-ink before, but, for reading ebooks 4 to 8 hours per day, is it worth it to downgrade from 216 PPI of an lcd display to 166 PPI of an e-ink display ? I don't read outside, but I want to decide if it is a good idea to invest in an ebook reader.

explorer1 · 03-21-2015, 01:09 PM

Spelling corrections for question 1 and 2:
1. Why reading on this tablet causes red eyes, itchy eyes, and fatigued eyes ? All tablets cause this problem, or not all of them ?
2. What can I do to make reading ebooks comfortable for the eye ? I don't like night mode (white text on black backgroud), is seems harder to read, so are there any other solutions ?

AnemicOak · 03-21-2015, 07:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by explorer1

My questions are:
1. Why reading on this tablet causes red eyes, itcy eyes, and fatigued eyes ? All tables cause this problem, or not all of them ?

It's going to be an individual thing. Some people have problems reading on backlit screens, others have problems with the glare/reflection from the tablet's glossy screen. Different tablets can have a different "feel" too as far as reading at least for me.

Quote:

2. What can I do to make reading ebooks confortable for the eye ? I don't like night mode (white text on black backgroud), is seems harder to read, so are there any other solutions ?

You don't say what reading software you're using, but many have more than just "normal" and night modes. One of my preferred apps is Moon+ Pro and I can set different themes. Sometimes I read on a parchment background with brown text, sometimes dark gray or black with orange or green text or some other combo depending on various factors.

Quote:

3. Is reading on an e-ink display more confortable for the eye, than reading on tablets with lcd set to low bightness ?

It can be for many people. I switch back and forth and find both comfortable.

You mention setting your brightness to 20%. In most of the lighting situations I normally encounter I'd find that way to bright on my devices. On some of my devices I find I need to use the Screen Dim app to set things even lower than the minimum brightness or the device.

Quote:

4. I never read on e-ink before, but, for reading ebooks 4 to 8 hours per day, is it worth it to downgrade from 216 PPI of an lcd display to 166 PPI of an e-ink display ? I don't read outside, but I want to decide if it is a good idea to invest in an ebook reader.

It's really a YMMV situation and it going to be different for everyone. PPI is just one factor in what can make a comfortable reader (there are eInk readers up to 300 ppi) and some individuals notice the differences in ppi while others do not. You don't say where you are, but see if there is a retailer that sells eInk readers. Then go in and try one.

dickloraine · 03-21-2015, 09:38 PM

Never had any problems reading on a backlit device. How bright the screen is differs from device to device. I read on zero on mine. 20% can be too much, depending on the surrounding light. Additionally many reading apps allow to set the brightness in the app. Maybe it is brighter than you think.
Other than that, some people have the troubles you describe (but your symptoms are quite extrem). Maybe try an e-ink device, if you mainly read novels. Dpi is not that important (in my opinion) in contrast to your problems. A kindle or kobo has quite acceptable dpi. They are also lighter and batteries last at least a month.

Purple Lady · 03-22-2015, 05:39 PM

Right now I have my brightness set to 12%. At night I use the ScreenDim app to put it at 0.4% to 3% and lower the contrast. I always have a colored background as well because white is too bright. I also need a matte screen protector because the glare on the screen also gives me problems.

Tikker · 03-28-2015, 03:13 PM

i read 4-5 hours a day between my samsung s4, and tab pro. I've never had any issues with eye strain, itchy, etc etc etc

icedtea · 03-28-2015, 11:33 PM

Everyone's eyes are different. I suspect mine are pretty sensitive (I even had eye strain with a lighted e-ink reader). Hopefully you can find what works for you.

Try playing around with different custom colours in your android app. And yes, turn down the brightness even further than 20% you tried before.

Suggestions:
Beige/khaki/tan/off white background with brown, navy, or charcoal font (or even mid/lighter tones of these).
Navy or darker blue background with mid or light grey;
Brown background with beige/tan (I know you said you don't like reverse black/white, but basically try the same idea of 'night mode,' but with less stark contrast).

If you read mostly or all fiction, you could give e-ink a try if you can find something in your budget and at a retailer with a good return policy (Kindle, Nook, Kobo or discontinued Sony PRS series).

explorer1 · 03-31-2015, 12:13 PM

Bought a 4th gen Kindle, read 4 hours on it, and didn't get any of the eye problems that I get with the tablet.

03-21-2015, 12:51 PM	#1
explorer1 Junior Member Posts: 4 Karma: 10 Join Date: Mar 2015 Device: android tablet, 7", 216 ppi, ips	eye problems when reading on android tablet I read ebooks on the LCD monitor of my Windows PC. Monitor specs are: TN, 19", 89 PPI, CCFL backlight, brightness set to 0% when reading. At 89 PPI, even with the latest sub-pixel rendering technology, text is not as clear as I would prefer. I wanted 300 ppi, or at least 220 ppi, so that I can have text of acceptable clarity. So I recently bought an Android tablet, with 216 PPI display. I started to read an ebook on this tablet, with brightness below 20 %, and after 3 or 4 hours of reading on it, I've developed the following simptoms: red eyes (blood vessels on the surface of the eye expanded), itchy eyes, and fatigued eyes. These simptoms were non-existent when I read on the pc monitor for 3 to 4 hours, and when I read on paper books for 4 hours. The display of this tablet differs from the pc display: it's IPS instead of TN, and it has led backlight instead of ccfl. I don't know what, in this tablet, causes these eye problems. I don't know if PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) is the cause. Or if the combination of led + pwm causes it. My questions are: 1. Why reading on this tablet causes red eyes, itcy eyes, and fatigued eyes ? All tables cause this problem, or not all of them ? 2. What can I do to make reading ebooks confortable for the eye ? I don't like night mode (white text on black backgroud), is seems harder to read, so are there any other solutions ? 3. Is reading on an e-ink display more confortable for the eye, than reading on tablets with lcd set to low bightness ? 4. I never read on e-ink before, but, for reading ebooks 4 to 8 hours per day, is it worth it to downgrade from 216 PPI of an lcd display to 166 PPI of an e-ink display ? I don't read outside, but I want to decide if it is a good idea to invest in an ebook reader. Last edited by explorer1; 03-21-2015 at 12:56 PM.

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03-21-2015, 01:09 PM	#2
explorer1 Junior Member Posts: 4 Karma: 10 Join Date: Mar 2015 Device: android tablet, 7", 216 ppi, ips	Spelling corrections for question 1 and 2: 1. Why reading on this tablet causes red eyes, itchy eyes, and fatigued eyes ? All tablets cause this problem, or not all of them ? 2. What can I do to make reading ebooks comfortable for the eye ? I don't like night mode (white text on black backgroud), is seems harder to read, so are there any other solutions ?

03-21-2015, 09:38 PM	#4
dickloraine Guru Posts: 631 Karma: 7544528 Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Berlin Device: PRS 350, Kobo Aura	Never had any problems reading on a backlit device. How bright the screen is differs from device to device. I read on zero on mine. 20% can be too much, depending on the surrounding light. Additionally many reading apps allow to set the brightness in the app. Maybe it is brighter than you think. Other than that, some people have the troubles you describe (but your symptoms are quite extrem). Maybe try an e-ink device, if you mainly read novels. Dpi is not that important (in my opinion) in contrast to your problems. A kindle or kobo has quite acceptable dpi. They are also lighter and batteries last at least a month.

03-22-2015, 05:39 PM	#5
Purple Lady Grand Sorcerer Posts: 5,698 Karma: 16542228 Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Pennsylvania Device: Huawei MediaPad M5, LG V30, Boyue T80S, Nexus 7 LTE, K3 3G, Fire HD8	Right now I have my brightness set to 12%. At night I use the ScreenDim app to put it at 0.4% to 3% and lower the contrast. I always have a colored background as well because white is too bright. I also need a matte screen protector because the glare on the screen also gives me problems.

03-28-2015, 03:13 PM	#6
Tikker Zealot Posts: 117 Karma: 2329890 Join Date: Jul 2014 Device: Galaxy Tab Pro 8.4, Galaxy S7, Kobo Aura	i read 4-5 hours a day between my samsung s4, and tab pro. I've never had any issues with eye strain, itchy, etc etc etc

03-28-2015, 11:33 PM	#7
icedtea elibrary love Posts: 166 Karma: 380918 Join Date: Mar 2010 Device: Kindle3, RIP Mini	Everyone's eyes are different. I suspect mine are pretty sensitive (I even had eye strain with a lighted e-ink reader). Hopefully you can find what works for you. Try playing around with different custom colours in your android app. And yes, turn down the brightness even further than 20% you tried before. Suggestions: Beige/khaki/tan/off white background with brown, navy, or charcoal font (or even mid/lighter tones of these). Navy or darker blue background with mid or light grey; Brown background with beige/tan (I know you said you don't like reverse black/white, but basically try the same idea of 'night mode,' but with less stark contrast). If you read mostly or all fiction, you could give e-ink a try if you can find something in your budget and at a retailer with a good return policy (Kindle, Nook, Kobo or discontinued Sony PRS series).

03-31-2015, 12:13 PM	#8
explorer1 Junior Member Posts: 4 Karma: 10 Join Date: Mar 2015 Device: android tablet, 7", 216 ppi, ips	Bought a 4th gen Kindle, read 4 hours on it, and didn't get any of the eye problems that I get with the tablet.

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