I suspect that there were different runs with different chipset versions. Or maybe a firmware update that killed it. I played with an original-release last year at PAX East and it was flawless for me, I was super pleased with it and immediately added it to my wishlist.
This one may have to go back. My son is completely enamoured of Zelda, but once he finishes the game this may be $400 that has to go back into my pocket. 
So sad.
Boy, this looks familiar. Note the "get your eyes checked!" and "change the brightness!" responses. Feeling like the old Apple forums all over again.
My money is on a different chipset versions. I bought mine almost a year ago and have latest firmware installed.
Plsnostrain Yeah. I would love to find someone with a release-day switch, and just trade them the base unit...
Maybe it's not the chipset. Maybe it's different display panel suppliers?
diop Right now my only safe gaming console is a decade old Wii which is still going strong for now
What about the PS3? I found out some games are perfectly usable for hours while others induce eye strain very quickly, almost immediately. It's the games! Game-specific eye strain.
Gurm Can you rule out game-specific eye strain on the Switch?
I recently played Switch with my son at an electronics store and can confirm that it did not cause eye strain.
Not sure if this was an old Switch or if they fixed the GPU issues somehow.
Anyone here with a newer Switch who could share some experience? (thought already of buying one for my son and myself...)
Edit:
Ok, seems there is more info coming from this thread as well: https://ledstrain.org/d/358-xbox-one/28
deepflame I bought a switch for my kids. I found it caused me immediate eye strain. My model was bought 4 months ago.
jasonpicard thanks for the info. Guess I need to find something second hand locally then. Will you keep the Switch for your kids or would you return it.
I have kids myself and I am not sure if the stuff that I experience does not also influence them in a way and I do not want them to have any long term health issue because they are still growing up...
deepflame It can be docked and I have no issue with it on the plasma TV. My kids have no issues with the screens. My kids mostly play PS4 so the switch doesn't get much use.
I just joined as I came across this thread while searching the web.
I’m having similar problems with my switch, both in handheld mode and when docked on my 65” OLED.
Whenever I play my eyes feel strained within 5-10 minutes, almost like they are incredibly tired. They actually start to hurt moving them after playing for 15-30 mins.
I’m a moderate gamer, played PC games for years and play both PS4 and XBox frequenly right now without issue. I also use a laptop, iPhone and 34” monitor daily without issue.
What in the world could be causing this?
Also, just to add. I have crappy eyesight but have worn glasses for years. Corrected my vision is sharp and just had my prescription updated earlier this year. I’m also playing in a bright room.
Jivedonkey Is that TV ok otherwise? What things do you have connected to it when its ok? The prevailing theory, untested and speculative, is that one or more types of "dithering" (where pixels are rapidly flickered to create different shades than a panl can natively make) is the cause of much of our strain. That comes from the gpus of the device being used so would explain why plugging it into the TV makes the TV painful. Efforts are in progress to test for and then hopefully find a way to turn dithering off...but its an uncertain future.
Jivedonkey I'm wondering the same. Does the OLED TV bother you otherwise? I'm strongly considering getting one but not sure if I can use it.
hpst no strain at all using other sources on the OLED, it’s very comfortable with everything (PS4, Xbox, Apple TV) except the switch.