RobC
Hi - I’m thrilled to find this discussion thread! Your described symptoms in response to screen time are nearly identical to what I’ve been experiencing since starting my job as a technical writer several years ago (and being given a new Lenovo work laptop - along with 1-2 additional monitors). In particular, I noticed shortly after getting this PC system that I became very fatigued at the end of the day, feeling as though I couldn’t stand another 10 min of screen time. Over the next few weeks, I noticed that my face felt exceptionally dry after 3-6+ hours of screen time, I also had significant skin pain, as though I was being burned (or sunburned), after every workday. I even noticed a characteristic lines along the nasolabial folds of my face after a day of work - these would go away after a weekend away from the work screens, but we’re back after getting back to work the following week.
This has been going on for 2+ years now, and I feel my skin is increasingly damaged. I’ve lost a lot of what I suspect is collagen in my cheek areas, and have developed true wrinkles along my laugh lines (nasolabial folds) - note my skin was wrinkle free. My skin is perpetually red and feels dry and burned all the time. My lips feel burned too.
Importantly, as per RobC’s comments, I’ve never noticed screen time issues with my main non-work computer, an older ASUS ROG laptop (~10 yrs old). In fact, I still use this PC with no issues (I’m currently looking into figuring out what type of backlight system it has, maybe CCFL or just an older LED).
Another parallel with RobC is that within a year of using these new screens, I lost my night vision. As he described, my vision at night is just terrible now, things are fuzzy, and sometimes I literally put my hands out in front of me so that I don’t fall. Prior to getting this system I had excellent night vision (would drive all my friends around).
Obviously, I’m really upset about all of the above, but unfortunately am in a situation where I need to continue with my current job.
My question here is that did you (RobC), find any kind of resolution? Has using screens with older backlighting technology helped? Or have you found any other solution? I’m also considering trying a projector, but I think finding a screen that didn’t nuke my face every day would be easier…
Thanks in advance, love this forum!