Thank you for the update. Congrats on finding a solution that gets you to 90% cured, that's very encouraging to hear!
Would you mind sharing your current usable device list? For example, which phone and computer are you able to use comfortably?
Treatments, desensitization, pills, exercises - solutions
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GregAtkinson Thanks for the update! Please don't forget about us 
... there are only a few success stories on here and I feel much better reading each one. I'm also wondering what devices you use; I'm a computer programmer myself.
If you don't mind me asking, is the primary reason for your prescription for insomnia and the PWM sensitivity is just a happy benefit?
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Laptop: Dell i5567-0927 (can use as long as I want with no eyestrain at all)
- Brightness: always at 100% (I even went in to the Bios to make sure it was 100%)
- Night light: off
- Scale: 125%
- Layout: 1920x1080
- Intel HD Graphics 620 version 27.20.100.9964 (I used to have an old driver version, but Windows updated it for me in September. Thanks, Microsoft…)
- Power Plans: "Maximum Performance" for both "On Battery" and "Plugged In"
- I never use it below 25% battery level. I think some power-saving feature kicks in that gives me headaches.
Monitor: very old Asus VW228TLB-P that I always keep at 100% backlight
Phone: Moto e4 plus (it's OK for short periods. I wouldn't necessarily recommend it.)
Lightbulbs: MaxLite Dimmable 2700k (60W, 75W and 100W) (I never put them in a dimmable switch)
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GregAtkinson Thanks. That's very interesting. I've also found Intel HD Graphics 620 the most comfortable on my HP EliteBook 840 G6 using driver: 25.20.100.6793. It's the most comfortable modern device I've found!
I wonder if there's something special about the Intel HD Graphics 620.
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Hi Everyone,
This topic is technical and vague at the same time, therefore, I will try to summarise my experiences and any potential solutions as best as I can, based on my research.
Approximately 6 yrs ago, I suddenly developed dizziness, migraines, eye strain, sometimes sea sickness symptoms. I discovered this was from flicker in led, energy saving, fluorescent lighting and digital displays and screens. Walking in supermarkets, using my old phone etc would trigger the issues.
I was seen by numerous opticians, a neuro ophthalmologist, two migraine specialists, (the latter recommended medication), in general I did not get far. I also spoke with professors, a screen manufacturer too for clues.
I tried software like f.lux, Truview overlay by crossbow education, monitor shields from the same company, some of these solutions worked for a short period only, till the issues occurred again.
I have read supplements may help, e.g. increasing magnesium, cayenne pepper, however have not tried these.
As a result of the above, and my research, I currently use a standard projector to watch TV on, use halogen lighting where possible, not energy efficient, however is easy on the eye.
I use Eizo EV2450 monitors, with the correct settings, which do not cause me eye strain. https://www.eizoglobal.com/products/flexscan/ev2450/index.html#tab01
I use a modern Amoled Xiaomi mobile phone which has an option to turn off flicker, this mode works well for me.
Lastly and most importantly I saw an optician who took my issues as a challenge, and between us, we came up with a specific green/yellow tint for glasses I currently wear, which help a great deal. I’m not saying this solution will work for everyone, (some specialists said coloured lenses have a low success rate, others recommended FL41 type pink tints), however, for the last 4 years or so, mine have made a massive difference. I can tolerate most environments and digital screens, (bar modern 4k monitors), which I’m working on. (I’ve tried 3 that are advertised as flicker free, one had DC dimming, however still no joy).
I also live a healthy lifestyle, getting to bed at a good time makes a difference too, along with consistent sleeping/waking patterns everyday.
Hope I can help with the above,
BTW, I’ve not put details of my optician, as I don’t want to be seen as advertising or promoting a service. However, if there is enough interest, I don’t mind sharing his details, he is UK based, in the North West.
Please bear with me too, if my replies are slow, or there are a lack of them.
Same, better or worse if you look with one eye?
When it first started, better when I looked with one eye, but them became the same within a few weeks'. It felt like everything I tried was temporary, e.g. using a lower resolution worked for a few weeks' then stopped, tint filters worked for a few weeks then stopped etc…
Jay-ledforum we came up with a specific green/yellow tint for glasses I currently wear, which help a great deal.
Jay-ledforum tint filters worked for a few weeks then stopped
Can you explain more about the tint glasses/filters, do they work or not?
Yes the glasses work well, we looked into the colours that help different eye issues, I found a chart on the internet that showed green, blue and yellow for example were good colours for eye strain and vdu work. My Optometrist has a 'tint bath' he dipped the standard prescription glasses lenses into the green tint bath, then in yellow bath, the longer the lense stays in the bath, the stronger the tint. We experimented with different shades for a year or so, once we got the best combination, he sent off the glasses to a specialist who noted the precise colour for future reference, as we had to do it via trial and error. Hope that makes sense.
Do you have a way to share the tint details? Like an order number, or a tint color code? I'd be interested in trying it.
Im afraid I don't, the optician has these details. We simply agreed green and yellow based on yellow is good for VDU use, green for light, if you can find an optician who has a tint bath and is willing to try it with you great.
If it helps this all came about after I did a colorimetry test, which tests for lenses for reading difficulties, although i didnt think that would work for me, it took me down this path, I went off a chart similar to this one, to give you an idea:-
Tints do make a lot of difference for me too, these days all prescription glasses I'm buying from Gunnars cause of the Amber tint (also it costs half price than buying from the optometrists I visit in US).
I have 2 prescription pairs (both have blue light blocking and anti reflex), one of them is even from BVD doctor with vertical prism. I had re-made them by Gunnars (same prescription, different tint) and they are lot better than the non tinted ones.
I do not think blue light matters to me tho. Flux does not help at all. FL41 glasses did not help either
I've tried different colors like green, purple and clear blue light blockers, they did not make any difference for me
orange/uvex, yellow/amber or polarized sunglasses do make a difference
I'm not affected by flicker.
I can't tolerate any glare at this point, even on a book.
I'm not affected by night driving, nor using the computer in dark room, I even feel like on a cloudy days or evenings the computer became easier to use, as there is less glare.
I also have lot of floaters in one eye, but had them before my problem started.
So just saying I think tints help me as they decrease glare + not noticing the floaters in case that might matter too
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I wonder if part of our issues is visual vertigo: https://dizziness-and-balance.com/disorders/visual/visual_vertigo.html.
I found a possible treatment here called "optokinetic stimulation", with more details here.
They claim that:
Continually repeating the actions that bring on the symptoms of dizziness or vertigo will eventually accustom the body to those actions and strengthen neural pathways.
Thanks for the info, I'll look into the colorimetry test 
Just bear in mind, the colorimetry test, in theory is only for things like dyslexia, I didn't agree with the testing method, (of reading text on a lit background, not testing for sensitivity to light or flicker), the result showed I should try a combo of grey and pink or grey and orange tints, (forgot the exact colours, it was a while ago). I didnt go for this option as a result of my pessimism and the potential total cost.
8 days later
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I haven't read the thread, but i'll share my 2 cents.
My screen strain was caused 2 years ago by a combination of:
- Huge doses of Aripiprazole and Escitalopram
- 5 days of taking Pregabalin
- Withdrawing too quickly from Aripiprazole (antipsychotic), Paroxetine (antidepressant), Biperiden (antiparkinsonian), Baclofen (muscle relaxant), Pregabalin (antiseizure) all at the same time. I didn't stop them cold turkey, but reduced the doses by like 90% down.
Only later did i learn that the medication withdrawal syndrome was the issue. See survivingantidepressants.org. That site has changed my life.
What helps my screen strain a lot:
- Vitamin C liquid form, drug grade, 1000mg
- Magnesium in any form. Currently am taking a mix of magnesium forms totalling about 550mg/day. I find that it's key to make the dose big, and to make sure it's a highly-bioavailable form (I take this one by Doctor's Best - 2 pills at breakfast and 2 at lunch)
- gently washing my closed eyes with running water, without touching them with my fingers
- A supplement called Acomodin
What makes my screen strain worse:
- The baclofen that i'm currently taking
- Wearing glasses that are too strong (-3.75D) for my eyes.
The best diagnoses I've been given are Spasm of Accomodation, and Dystonia.
9 days later
I am wondering if anyone else has had reduction of their flicker symptoms by using SSRIs?
24 days later
Hi @GregAtkinson -- wondering how you are doing nowadays? Is the Paxil still helping?
ryans I was having daytime sleepiness issues so my doctor switched me to a combination of Trazodone (25mg) and Prozac (30 mg). (And I'll add the usual warning that I'm not giving medical advice.) My best guess is that this combination is "only" resolving my issues 80% (vs. Paxil helping 90%). But that's pretty subjective, so it's possible that they're equally effective.
Based on the good experience I've had with Paxil, Fluoxetine and Trazodone, wish I had tried migraine medication years ago. One of my doctors said I was having migraines, but I didn't believe him because I didn't have the usual symptoms (aura, sensitivity to light, headache in one side of the brain, etc.).